Burns and scalds

Did you know? 3 children every month have to attend hospital because of an accident whilst their carer’s were holding them whilst cooking.

Burns and Scalds and Older People   Burns to those over 65 can prove fatal. The older age group often live alone and may come into contact with the heat source either as a result of a fall or sitting too close to the main heat source which includes radiators, electric fires and cookers. Due to age, poor mobility, or an underlying medical condition, contact with the heat source may be prolonged as they are often unable to move away from it. Almost 1 in 5 burn injuries are caused by the person falling and being unable to move away.    Frailty, the ageing process and poor health are often contributory factors to the many scald injuries suffered by older people. Many of these injuries involve kettles and baths.      Prevention ·        Where possible, place guards around fires and advise against sitting too close to any fire or heating appliance. ·        Encourage the use of safer heating appliances, such as convector heaters and fan heaters. ·        Re locate furniture to enable easier access past the heat source. ·        Ensure all clothing is fire retardant. ·        Coiled kettle flexes or a cordless kettle. ·        Spout filling or jug kettles (boil only sufficient water for immediate needs) ·        The use of wall-mounted heaters instead of kettles. ·        Try not to carry hot liquids further then necessary. (Rearrange tea/coffee-making area to accommodate this) ·        Fit thermostatic valves to the taps. ·        When running a bath, turn the cold water on first. ·        Never add hot water to the bath once you are in it ·        Always use rear hot plates, and turn the panhandles away from the front of the cooker. ·        Ensure that hot water bottles are of good quality and do not show signs of wear.

Cooking

Keep children out of kitchen if possible especially when cooking. If cooking:

• use the back rings of the cooker when possible.
• saucepan handles should be turned towards back of cooker.
• oven doors can reach a high temperature - keep children away from reach distance.

Ironing

Avoid ironing when childminding. Irons left to cool should be kept out of reach - and put away as soon as possible.

Kettles, toasters, deep fat fryers

These should be kept to the back of work benches out of reach. Keep flexes short or safely wound so that they cannot be reached.

Matches & Lighters

Store matches & lighters in high level cupboards - out of reach of small children. Children 8 - 11 can have a fascination with fire and matches and should be taught how to use matches safely.

Cigarettes

Childminders should avoid use of cigarettes near children in their care. Visitors that smoke should be asked to refrain from smoking whilst children are in the childminder’s home or smoke in a separate room. Cigarette butts should be placed out of reach whilst cooling - until they can be safely disposed of.

Baths

Did you know?

It takes only 3 seconds for a child to get 3rd degree burns from a bath scald? This is because their skin is thinner and more vulnerable - so it scalds at lower temperatures, with deeper tissue damage.

A severe scald injury can cost the NHS £250,000

In the bathroom

Use a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV). This will keep the water temperature at a safe 46o. If you are unable to access a TMV follow the 3 step bath plan:-

Preparing the bath:

Step 1 – Always use cold water first
Step 2 – Always put hot water second
Step 3 – Always mix water with hand and test water with elbow.

(Water should feel neither hot nor cold)

During bath time:

Bath safety tips will only work if you ensue that you supervise your child at all times.

After bath time:

When children are getting dried and dressed keep supervising children at all times, just in case a child considers extending their bath time hours!

Tips

• Use a Thermostatic Mixing Valve TMV or use the 3 step safe bath plan.
• Supervise children in the bath at all times

Note

It is now expected legislation will be in place in 2010 that TMV’s will be in all new builds.

A list of approved TMV2 valves - visit www.buildcert.com

Thermostic Mixing Valve Association www.safehotwater.com