How to Prevent Scalds and Burns in Children? How to Handle Child Burn Injuries?

How to Prevent Scalds and Burns in children? How to Handle Child Burn Injuries?

With the advancement of science and technology, people's awareness of safety has been continuously strengthened, leading to a noticeable decrease in burn injuries among adults. However, there are still numerous cases of burn injuries in children in clinical settings. Surveys have shown that children under the age of 6 account for more than half of all burn cases, with toddlers aged 1 to 2 being twice as likely to sustain burns compared to infants under 1 year old. Twins and multiple births also have a higher likelihood of experiencing burns. Children born to women over 30 years old are less prone to burns compared to those born to younger women under 20 years old, indicating that very young mothers may lack sufficient life experience to take care of their children adequately. Children from single-parent families are also more susceptible to burns, as are those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Most burn injuries in children occur at home, with the hands being the most commonly affected area, followed by the head and face. The primary reason for children being prone to burns is the lack of carefulness on the part of parents, who may assume that children cannot access items like hot water bottles, only to find that their child has still sustained burns. Due to children's thinner skin, incomplete organ development, and lower immune function, burns can be more severe in children, with a higher risk of complications such as shock and organ damage. This is especially true for infants and young children, as their conditions can deteriorate rapidly, leading to more adverse consequences. Burns can cause intense pain, requiring prolonged treatment, and the emotional and psychological trauma can persist for a long time, causing the child to develop feelings of inferiority, significantly impacting their mental well-being.

If accidentally scalded by hot oil, do not use cloth or paper to wipe off the oil from the burn area. Instead, immediately flush the burn area with cool tap water or water from a kettle for 20 to 30 minutes. Avoid applying vinegar or soy sauce to the burn, and do not burst the burn blisters, as they provide some protection to the wound. In case of severe burns, call emergency services (120) and seek immediate medical attention.

Diluents ignite when exposed to an open flame: Diluents, also known as "banana water," are flammable organic solvents with a flashpoint of around 200°C. Experiments show that pouring diluents on a burning alcohol lamp or a charcoal fire will cause it to ignite instantly.

Be cautious of burn injuries caused by alcohol lamps: Alcohol is volatile and flammable. Alcohol lamps are often used during hot pot meals on dining tables. When alcohol is about to run out, it should be extinguished first before refilling to avoid accidental fires, which can lead to burns for people sitting around the table.

Fire hazards in wedding decorations: Wedding celebrations often involve the use of hair sprays, which contain ethanol, dimethyl ether, fragrance, deionized water, propylene glycol, and other substances. Both ethanol and dimethyl ether are flammable, and when exposed to an open flame or high temperatures, they can cause explosions. Various wedding decorations such as ribbons, perfumes, colognes, nail polishes are also flammable and should be kept away from heat sources.

Most burn injuries in children can be prevented by taking appropriate safety precautions. Families with young children should conduct regular safety inspections and consider equipping their homes with necessary protective devices to prevent burns, and implement corresponding safety measures. For instance, when cooking on a stove, children should be kept away, and the kitchen should be off-limits to them. Hot water bottles should be stored in places out of reach of children, and children should never be allowed to play with fire. Electric blankets should not be used while children are sleeping.

Parents must be aware of burn injury prevention and regularly educate, warn, and demonstrate to their children how to avoid burns, enabling them to understand the dangers of burns and develop self-protective abilities. Parents are advised to pay attention to the following points: 1) Never hold a hot beverage or food while carrying a child in your arms. 2) Ensure that food, such as milk or porridge, is at an appropriate temperature and not too hot when given to children. 3) Properly use household natural gas stoves to avoid gas leaks, explosions, and fire accidents that directly threaten the safety of residents. Install doors or barriers in the kitchen and keep them closed, instructing children not to enter the kitchen unaccompanied. Pay special attention to the flames on the stove and cooking utensils, making sure that pot handles do not extend too far and are directed towards the wall to prevent children from reaching out. 4) Do not place various hot objects, including heaters, electric kettles, electric stoves, hair dryers, electric irons, and hot containers, near the edges of tables to prevent burns when children try to reach them. 5) Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach and do not let children stand beside adults in the kitchen. 6) Be cautious with solid pipe cleaners: Pipe cleaners are a new type of kitchen and bathroom pipe cleaner product, mainly composed of hydroxides, sodium carbonate, sodium hypochlorite, foaming agents, and flash dissolution factors. Pipe cleaners are corrosive. If children accidentally come into contact with them, rinse immediately with clean water and avoid rubbing their eyes with hands that have touched the product. Solid pipe cleaners contain strong alkaline caustic soda. When adding cold water during use, do it slowly to prevent the liquid from spilling out and causing burns due to the large amount of heat generated during the chemical reaction. 7) Be cautious with laser pointers: A 2000-watt laser pointer can quickly convert light energy into heat energy. Direct exposure to it for 2-3 seconds can ignite paper, and for 5 seconds, it can ignite clothing. Direct exposure to a hydrogen balloon can cause an immediate explosion, posing a danger to children. Parents must exercise extra caution and avoid letting children play with laser pointers. Similarly, halogen lamps emit intense light, and if a piece of paper is placed over the bulb for 10-15 seconds, it will catch fire. For bedroom or study halogen lamps, it is recommended to buy ones with protective covers to prevent children from accidentally igniting paper, leading to burns or even fires. 8) Be vigilant when using isopropyl alcohol to clean wounds, as it can ignite: Isopropyl alcohol is a medium-effect disinfectant that can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. When shaking and rotating a 20-milliliter container of isopropyl alcohol inside a bucket of water, and then igniting the mouth of the container, a blue flame will be seen. Parents should be cautious to prevent children from playing with isopropyl alcohol to avoid accidents. 9) Be wary of children playing with fire: As soon as parents discover children playing with fire, they must stop them and explain the serious consequences of fires and the importance of fire safety in the home. Lighting candles during children's birthday celebrations can also easily cause burns. Avoid letting younger children come into contact with them.

Children playing with matches or lighters are most likely to cause fires. Parents should keep matches and lighters out of sight and reach, for example, storing them in large wardrobes or locking them in drawers, to prevent children from accessing them and playing with fire. About half of home fires are caused by children under the age of 5 playing with fire at home. About 2/5 of home fires start in bedrooms, with about 1/4 of fires starting from mattresses or sheets. Children account for 15% to 20% of all fire-related injuries and deaths.

Emergency treatment: 1) Place the burn under a tap of cold running water for a few minutes. If the child feels excessively cold, stop flushing. 2) Cover the burn with sterilized gauze and bandage it with a dressing. 3) Do not apply toothpaste, soy sauce, or other ointments to the burn. 4) Do not tear off clothing stuck to the burn; instead, seek medical assistance at a hospital to have a doctor handle it.