We all hear about the great danger to our kids when it comes to burns – a screaming hot kettle or saucepan full of boiling liquid. But what is not so well known is that your child is more likely to receive a burn from a hair straightener or a treadmill!
At my place, I had turned on my hair straightener and turned my attention away unaware that my 4 year old son had wandered into the room where I had the straightener on, and to this day I can still hear the shrieking cry that accompanied my son yelling, “it attacked me Mummy”.
In horror, I ran into the room, looked at his hand where instantly a blister had covered his whole thumb. I rushed to the sink, turned on the tap, somehow grabbed a chair and together we stood crying for the next 20 minutes.
Perhaps not quite the end of the world, but I knew how much that would hurt and kicked myself for not thinking about how hot and dangerous a hair straightener can actually be.
Burns, no matter what size are one of the most painful and potentially damaging injuries you can ever encounter. Not to mention it can be incredibly frightening for you and your child.
If your child has a burn injury;
- INSTANTLY cool the burn with gently flowing WATER! WATER! WATER! for up to 20 minutes
- If in doubt call an AMBULANCE ‘000’ – especially if the burns affects airways, genitals, face, hands or feet or is bigger than a 20c piece
- For larger burns place you and your child in a gentle flowing cool shower
- Remove clothing (including nappy) and jewelry ( do this once immersed in water) – but NEVER remove items if stuck to the skin, and
- NEVER EVER put lotions, creams, powders, butter, ice, garlic, tomatoes, toothpaste, hummus or ice cream on any burns!!! (You would be surprised what I have been told)
Prevention is obviously key, but in the event of such emergency ‘water’ is your best friend and never hesitate to contact medical aid.
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May 16, 2013 at 9:20 pm,
My husband is constantly telling me when dealing with burns water for at least 15 min. Even if it ”feels’ ok keep in under water. Apparently when in shock and also after a bit of water running on it you can think that its ok when it actually in not.
May 16, 2013 at 9:16 pm,
I thought burn aid was the best. Is that classed as creams, lotions etc.
May 16, 2013 at 2:46 pm,
Thanks for the excellent article. Burn safety is important.
May 14, 2013 at 5:15 pm,
This is a great article, very important information! I always thought ice in a wrap was best, after running it under water…now I know! Thanks MoM!!
May 13, 2013 at 6:35 pm,
great article going to put on the fridge
May 06, 2013 at 6:29 pm,
Such a great safety article thank you
April 30, 2013 at 10:21 am,
can limit burns as well by always wearing clothes in the kitchen. a Dr told me once that a boys life was saved from 3rd degree burns as he had a shirt on which soaked up much of the boiling water.
April 30, 2013 at 10:12 am,
such a great article thank you
April 29, 2013 at 10:53 am,
Hummus, thats crazy who would put that on a burn.
April 29, 2013 at 7:48 am,
So painful a burn no matter what age
April 28, 2013 at 5:12 pm,
Ive also heard the yolk of an egg is very good on burn but the first thing would obviously be cold water
April 28, 2013 at 2:09 am,
it s very important to know
April 28, 2013 at 2:06 am,
thanks for great informations .
April 27, 2013 at 6:24 pm,
Running cool water is the only way to go
April 17, 2013 at 10:53 am,
Thanks for the reminder. Last time I burned myself, in my panic I put an ice-pack on the burn instead of cool water and the ice-burn was so painful! Water is the only way to go.