Burns

Preventing burns is the best way to keep your tamariki safe. Below are some tips to minimise the risk of burns in your home: 

In the kitchen 

• keep hot beverages, or foods, like soups and noodles, out of reach of your child 
• avoid holding or feeding your baby when you are drinking tea or coffee 
• keep cords of kettles out of your child’s reach 
• cook at the back of the stove first 
• turn pot handles in, so they are less likely to spill 
• if you are cooking and must leave the room for any reason, turn the stove off first.

In the bathroom 

• always watch young kids in the bath or shower, or when they wash their hands 
• start with cold water then add hotter water to your child’s bath
• if you are using a bath tub, run the cold tap to finish so that the tap fitting isn't hot to touch. 

In the bedroom 

• avoid candles in the bedroom 
• turn electric blankets off before going to bed.

Water temperature 

• adjust the hot water temperature in your house (50-55 degrees Celsius is recommended), because a few degrees can make a big difference.

Other areas 

• put matches and lighters out of reach of children and in a locked cupboard, if possible 
• make sure all electrical outlets are working and safe  
• always use a candle holder and put out all candles before leaving the room. 

Call 111 for an ambulance if the area of the burn:

• is larger than half the child's arm
• is causing severe pain
• involves the eyes
• or has been caused by a chemical.

Mild burns can usually be treated at home, while severe burns require medical attention. If your child has a mild burn, follow the steps below:

• remove the source of heat – get your child away from whatever caused the burn (stove, candle, BBQ)
• immediately cool the burned area for at least 20 minutes
  • you can use slow-running cool water, or any cool, clean liquid (like a soft drink or beer) if you don’t have access to cold water. Do not use ice.
  • you can also submerge the burned area in a bucket of cool water, if that’s easier than pouring water over the burn
• position your child in a safe position
• apply a clean, non-adhesive (not sticky) dressing, or a clean piece of cling film.

Things to avoid

• Breaking blisters or removing peeling skin
• Removing clothing or fabric that is stuck to a burn
• Applying creams, ointments, lotions or butter to any burn injury – this can cause an infection and make the injury worse
• Putting young children or babies in a cold bath or shower for a full 20 minutes, as this can cause hypothermia. The aim is to cool the burn, not the child.

• If the burn:
  • is larger than a 20-cent coin
  • Is deep and looks white, even if it's not painful
  • is causing severe pain
  • is still painful after you have given your child pain medication
• If you are concerned about them.

If you're not sure what to do, you can call PlunketLine 24/7 on 0800 933 922 to speak to a nurse.