UW Medicine - Burn Prevention and Safety Outreach

A key function of the UW Burn Center is to educate the community about burn prevention and treatment. Burn Center physicians and staff teach local school-age children about how to welcome back a classmate who has been burned, and unit representatives regularly visit schools, businesses and fire departments as part of this outreach effort focused on burn prevention and safety.

If you wish to have a representative come to your school or business, please contact our Burn Center Outreach Coordinator at 206-731-3139.

Spring and summer safety tips

During hot weather, check metal parts of seat belts, especially in infant car seats. If they are hot to the touch, they are too hot for the baby to sit in.
Use only charcoal lighter fluid to start a fire when barbecuing. Never add more charcoal lighter fluid or other flammable products to the fire. The container may explode.
Most tents will burn, so keep all sources of heat or flames a safe distance away from them. Use only battery or electrically operated lights in or near tents.
Keep children at a safe distance when cooking on campfires or grills.
Keep a fire extinguisher available at all times.
Store gasoline outside the home in approved safety cans away from open flames.
Wait for the lawnmower engine to cool before refueling. Never refuel while the engine is hot or running.
Allow the car radiator to cool before removing cap and protect your hands, arms and face.

Home burn safety tips

Make sure electric wiring is adequate. Do not overload circuits.
Clean chimneys and flues regularly.
Never empty an ashtray until contents are cold.
Place fireplace ashes in a metal container.
Do not smoke in bed, or when you are sleepy or have been drinking. Burning or smoldering cigarettes are a major cause of home fires.
Keep matches and lighters away from children.
Water heaters should be set at 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, test once a month, and replace batteries twice a year.
Make an escape plan for each level of your home.
Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids indoors. Store flammables in safe, approved containers.
Never leave a young child alone in the bathroom or kitchen.
Never hold a child while you are drinking a hot liquid.
Do not carry hot liquids or food when children are underfoot.

Kitchen burn prevention

The kitchen is the most dangerous room in the house. Hot food and liquids spilled in the kitchen are the most frequent source of burns to children.
Never hold a child while you are drinking a hot liquid.
Keep pot handles turned to the middle of the stove, out of reach.
Do not carry containers of hot liquid when children are underfoot.
When cooking, place young children in a playpen, infant seat or with another adult away from the kitchen.
Deep-fat fryers can be very dangerous. Hot oils may reach temperatures over 490 degrees Fahrenheit during cooking.
Be careful with microwave ovens. Puncture plastic pouches and plastic wrap covers before heating to reduce risk of steam build up. Check the temperature of food or drink before giving it to children.
Never leave a child alone in the kitchen.
Keep stove burners, the broiler and oven grease free. Grease may build up and catch fire.
If there is a grease fire in a pan, do not try to move the pan. Turn off the heat and put a lid on the pan.

Holiday and special events burn safety tips

Be extremely careful with candles. Use only non-tip candle holders. Keep candles away from combustible items, such as curtains and decorations. Keep candles out of children’s reach. Never leave candles burning unattended.
Use a flashlight in Halloween pumpkins instead of a candle.
Halloween costumes should be fire resistant and close fitting.
Holiday lights (inside and outside) should have a testing label of approval. Replace sets that have defective cords.
Help children engage in safe activities on the Fourth of July. Sparklers can reach 1800 degrees Fahrenheit at the tip.
Teach your children about the dangers of fireworks and other explosives. Discourage children from using them.

Toddler safety tips

Basic characteristics:

Extremely inquisitive.
Unable to recognize danger.
Poor coordination.

Most burns occur when:

Adults are distracted, anxious or hurried.
The babysitter is unaware of the child’s ability to reach or climb.
Household chemicals are left within child’s reach.
The child is left alone or with an irresponsible babysitter.
The child bumps into someone who is carrying hot food or liquid.
The child sucks or chews on an electrical cord.
Child pokes objects into wall socket.

Burns could be prevented by:

Not leaving toddler alone in the kitchen or bathroom.
Keeping household chemicals out of children’s reach.
Putting hot foods as far back as possible on the stove, table or counter.
Turning pot handles toward the middle or back of the stove.
Not being rushed or distracted. Plan ahead.
Not passing hot items over the child.
Testing the temperature of bath water with your elbow or a thermometer.
Not allowing a small child to run his or her own bath water.
Keeping electrical cords out of children’s reach.
Keeping electrical sockets covered.

Safety tips for 3- to 8- year-olds

Basic characteristics (3- to 5-year olds):

Busy experimenting.
Lack coordination.
Lack dexterity.
Imitate adults.

Basic characteristics (5-8 year olds):

Imitate adults.
Eager to "help."
Intrigued by danger.
Eager to take risk.

Most burns occur when:

The child is left alone with an irresponsible babysitter.
Child climbs on the stove to reach the "goodie" stored over it.
Child experiments with matches or lighter.
Child attempts to carry hot food or liquid.
Child bumps into someone carrying hot food or liquid.
Child tries an unsafe method of keeping warm.
Parent or caregiver burns trash or leaves.
Child is on a chair to "help" cook.
People pull hot liquids on themselves.

Burns could be prevented by:

Not leaving a child alone. Using only responsible babysitters.
Not storing "goodies" over the stove.
Keeping matches and lighters out of the child’s reach.
Teaching older children the proper way to light and extinguish matches.
Not allowing children to play in the kitchen during meal preparation.
Not allowing children to "help" burn trash or leaves.
Not allowing children to "help" cook on the stove.

Safety tips for 9 - to 12-year-olds

Basic characteristics:

Increased risk-taking behavior.
Responds to peer pressure.
Increased amount of unsupervised time.
Increased desire to accept adult responsibility (e.g., cook, light stove, use power mower).
Imitates behavior of adults and peers.

Most burns occur when:

Adults are upset or distracted.
Child uses a flammable substance either in playing or attempting to do a task.
Child tries to carry hot food or liquid and spills it.
Child responds to dangerous dares (usually involving electricity or flame)
Child is left alone for a long period of time.
Child becomes bored.
Burns could be prevented by:
Teaching your child proper respect for fire.
Teaching your child the correct method of starting and extinguishing fires.
Stressing the dangers of flammable products.
Explaining that because high electrical wires are not insulated, extreme care should be taken when flying kites, etc.
Being aware of how family stress and family problems affect children.
Teaching children to "Stop, Drop and Roll" to extinguish a clothing fire.

Safety tips for 13 - to 19 - year-olds

Basic characteristics:

Increased concern for appearance.
Risk taking and boredom often lead to trouble.
Experiment with life experiences (smoking, drugs, sex, cars, etc.).
More involved with preparation of meals.
Entering work force.
Often hurried, anxious, stressed and/or emotional.
Not overly concerned with safety.
Increased energy and involvement.
Enjoys working on worthwhile projects.

Most burns occur when:

Working with gasoline, blow torch, electricity or chemicals without proper knowledge of danger.
Attempting to light a gas stove or oven without reading or following directions.
Reaching across the burner while cooking causing clothing to ignite.
Starting a new job without adequate safety instructions or without following
instructions.
Attempting to repair the car without knowledge of potential danger.
Anxious, distracted, hurried or tired.
Responding in "child-like" manner to peer pressure (e.g., dares).
Placing gasoline in an improper container.

Burns could be prevented by:

Reading and following directions before starting a new task.
Being aware of safe exposure time for sun and sun lamps.
Being aware of the dangers associated with cars (flammable gasoline, radiator steam, battery acid, mufflers, etc.).
Not tampering with power lines or transmitters.
Responding to circumstances, not peers, in life and death situations.
Being conscious of fire hazards when cooking.
Being aware of the safe way to use and store flammable products.

Safety tips for Adults

Basic characteristics:

Usually able to respond quickly in an emergency.
Most accidents occur when under stress and hurried.
Adults are often exposed to burn hazards at home and at work.
Many are not aware of the potential dangers involved with mixing alcohol and smoking.
May have the attitude of "that can’t happen to me."

Most burns occur when:

Hot liquid spills while preparing a meal or drinking coffee.
Household chemicals spill while cleaning.
Flammable chemicals are used while smoking.
Clothing ignites while cooking.
Gasoline or fire starter is poured on a smoldering fire.
A match is lit after starter fluid has dripped on clothing.
Smoking in bed.
Smoking after consuming alcohol.
Driving after drinking alcohol.
Making contact with high-voltage electrical wires.
Failing to read directions before using new equipment.
Failing to observe recommended safety precautions at work.
Especially rushed, anxious, angry or distracted.

Burns could be prevented by:

Wearing snug-fitting, short-sleeved clothing while cooking.
Smoking only when alert, never while drowsy or tired.
Installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers in appropriate locations.
Following safety precautions when dealing with flammable substances, electricity or chemicals.
Storing gasoline only in an approved container, away from the house and out of the reach of children. (Even better is not storing gasoline at all.)
Being careful around heat sources, especially when hurried, angry or stressed.
Reading directions before starting a task.
Following the safety protocol on the job.

More information

If you wish to have a representative come to your school or business, please contact our Burn Center Outreach Coordinator at 206-731-3139.