Safety measures to prevent burns

 

Safety measures to prevent burns

CHILDREN

·      Do not leave children home alone.

·      Supervise young children at all times.

·      Store matches and lighters where children cannot reach them.

·      Do not let children near stoves, space heaters, fire-places, barbecue grills, radiators, registers, and other heat sources.

·      Keep space heaters and materials that can catch fire away from children.

·      Teach children fire safety and fire prevention measures. Also teach the dangers of fire.

·      Use the stove's back burners when infants and children are in the kitchen.

·      Do not let children help you cook at the stove.

·      Check metal playground equipment before children play on it. Metal surfaces exposed to sunlight can heat to high temperatures. They can burn hands, arm, legs, and buttocks.

·      Check car seats, seat belts, and seat belt buckles. If hot, they can burn children.

·      Cover car seats with towels if you park in the sun.

COOKING

·      Turn pot and pan handles so they point inward. They point away from where people stand and walk.

·      Do not leave cooking utensils in pots and pans.

·      Do not wear clothing with long, loose sleeves when cooking.

·      Do not put wet food into frying pans or deep-fryers. The water causes the oil to splatter.

·      Use dry oven mitts and potholders. Water conducts heat.

·      Stay near the stove, microwave, and barbecue grill when cooking. Do not leave them unattended.

·      Keep hot food and liquids away from counter and table edges.

·      Turn the oven and stove burners off when not in use.

EATING AND DRINKING

·      Assist with eating and drinking as needed. Spilled hot foods and fluids can cause burns.

·      Do not carry or eat hot foods and fluids near infants and young children.

WATER

·      Turn on cold water first, then hot water. Turn off hot water first, then cold water.

·      Measure bath water temperature. Check it before a person gets into a tub.

·      Have anti-scald devices installed on faucets and showerheads.

·      Check for "hot spots" in bath water. Move your hand back and forth.

·      Do not leave children unattended in bathtubs.

·      Position the child facing away from faucets when bathing a child in a tub or at a sink.

·      Do not let children touch faucet handles.

·      Place knob covers over faucets to prevent children from turning on the water.

APPLIANCES

·      Follow safety guidelines when applying heat and cold.

·      Do not let the person sleep with a heating pad.

·      Do not use electric blankets.

·      Do not leave irons unattended. Keep them off when not in use.

·      Keep curling irons and electric rollers out of the reach of children. Turn them off when not in use.

SMOKING

·      Be sure people smoke only in smoking areas.

·      Do not leave smoking materials at the bedside. They are left at the bedside if the person is trusted to smoke alone in smoking areas. Follow the care plan.

·      Supervise the smoking of persons who cannot protect themselves.

·      Do not allow smoking in bed.

·      Do not allow smoking where oxygen is used or stored.