Prevention

Burns are easy injuries to prevent, use common sense.

• Do not allow young children to play with matches or materials that can cause a fire.
  
  
• Do not smoke cigarettes, cigars, or any other tobacco products in bed.
  
  
• Set the water temperature in your home's hot water heater to 120-125°F. Also, turn the hot water off before the cold water when taking a bath or shower. This will prevent scald-type burns.
  
  
• Turn pot-handles to the inside on the stove so that toddlers and young children cannot reach up and pull them down. If stove controls are on the front of the stove or if the stove top is accessible to a toddler or young child, erect a barrier to prevent touching of hot surfaces.
  
  
• Do not carry a child and hot liquids at the same time. Also, do not leave cups, mugs, or bowls containing hot liquids at the edge of a table where a toddler or young child can reach up and pull them down onto themselves.
  
  
• Teach children to respect fire and not to play with fire or burning objects. Instruct them in the techniques of 'stop, drop, and roll' to put out flames on their clothing.
  
  
• As a family, put together a fire escape plan and practice it.
  
  
• Install smoke detectors in the house and check them regularly.