Burn awareness and prevention
From birth to one year
- Install smoke alarms in or near bedrooms, check them monthly and change batteries twice a year.
- Never microwave bottles - it heats unevenly.
- Never leave children unattended while food is being prepared.
- Never store anything flammable on stovetop.
- Never eat or drink hot foods or liquids while holding or carrying an infant.
- Test all warm liquids and foods before feeding.
- Shorten electrical cords by coiling them; do not allow them to dangle.
- Do not use tablecloths.
- Always keep cooking utensil handles turned to back of stove.
- Keep highchairs, chairs, and playpens away from stoves and counters.
- Walkers are dangerous, remove wheels or do not use.
- Use safety plugs in all unused outlets.
- Limit time in sun - babies burn easily, use sunscreen (at least 30 SPF).
- Only use cool mist vaporizers, keep them a safe distance from crib.
- Use space heaters that have an automatic shut off switch in case of accidental tip over.
- Allow three feet between a space heater and anything flammable.
- Keep candles, potpourri, matches, cigarettes, etc., out of reach.
- Run cool water first for tub, then warm until desired temperature.
- Test tub water with wrist, elbow, or special thermometer.
- Face child away from faucet and toward opposite end of tub.
- Set water heater temperature at 120 degrees F.
- Store chemicals/cleaners in original containers and out of reach or locked up.
- Keep baby equipment out of direct sunlight; metal and plastic parts can cause burns.
- Always dress your baby in non-flammable sleepwear.
Toddlers - from one to three years
- Never leave children unattended in kitchen while food is cooking.
- Never allow a child to stand on chair near the stove while you are cooking.
- Never leave hot iron unattended on ironing board.
- Never store snacks on or above stove, children may try to get them.
- Never leave cigarettes, matches, lighters, etc., in reach of children.
- Never store flammable items on stovetop.
- Never allow electrical appliances in or near bathtub.
- Never leave a child alone in the house.
- Install functioning smoke alarms in or near bedrooms; check them monthly and change batteries twice a year.
- Establish a three-foot "No Zone" around all hot appliances: stove, fireplace, barbecue, heaters, etc.
- Do not allow young children to pour or handle hot liquids or food.
- Do not allow children to play with pots and pans, they cannot tell when they are hot or not.
- Do not use tablecloths; children can pull hot foods, candles, potpourri, etc. onto them.
- Always have shoes on your child when outside; hot sidewalks, sand, cigarettes, campfires, etc. can cause burns.
- Store chemicals and cleaners in original containers and out of reach or locked up. Never store in pop bottlers or other "drink type containers."
- Install safety plugs in all unused outlets.
- Use button or knob covers for stove.
- Always keep cooking utensil handles turned to the back to stove and use back burners to cook.
- Keep electrical cords short by coiling them; do not allow them to dangle.
- Keep water heater temperature at 120 degrees F.
- Run cool tub first, then add warm until desired temperature.
- Monitor while taking a bath. Do not leave alone.
- Always use sunscreen, (at least 30 SPF) when outside, even on cloudy days.
- Use safety decals on bottom of tub, to prevent falls.
- Do not keep flammable liquids in your home.
- Use only cool mist vaporizers, and keep them a safe distance from bed or crib.
- Use space heaters that have an automatic shut off switch for accidental tip over.
- Always use non-flammable sleepwear.
Preschool - from three to five years
- Continue adequate supervision.
- Discourage game playing, (hide and seek, tag, etc.) around heat or fire sources such as stoves, heaters, barbecues, fireplaces, etc.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach, and purchase only child-resistant lighters.
- If you smoke, never leave lit cigarettes unattended.
- Begin to educate your child on fire safety, escape routes, and the "stop, drop, and roll" technique.
- Practice and reinforce these fire safety rules often with your child.
- Do not give hot foods or liquids to your child, allow items to cool.
- Do not carry hot foods or liquids and your child at the same time.
- Do not attempt to carry hot foods or liquids with toddlers underfoot.
- Do not use tablecloths, as they are too easily pulled off.
- Keep fire extinguishers in your home, check the pressure often.
- Be a good role model, children mimic adults.
- Never allow children to handle fireworks.
- Use only flame-retardant and noncombustible costumes for Halloween.
- Teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults, and when they are older you will show them how to use them properly.
- Always use non-flammable sleepwear.
Grade school
- Teach your child how to call 911 and what to say.
- Instruct your child on using matches and lighters safely and responsibly.
- Begin to instruct your child on safe cooking methods:
- Wear short or close fitting sleeves to avoid catching on fire.
- Turn pot handles to back.
- If grease fire starts: cover the pan, turn off burners, do not try to move pan.
- Never put water on grease fire.
- Lift lids away from you, to allow steam to escape.
- Use oven mitts to move pans or lift lids.
- No playing around while cooking.
- Place microwave at level safe for your child to use.
- Teach microwave safety:
- Use move mitts to remove items, containers get hot.
- Stir food before eating, center is hot.
- Allow popcorn bags to cool a little before opening, then do so away from you.
- Instruct children about coiling cords or using short ones, and the "no dangle" rule.
- Teach children not to "warm up" by or near fireplaces, heaters, or fires.
- Teach your child electrical safety:
- Do not climb on electrical poles or towers.
- Do not climb over fences that surround electrical substations.
- Do not fly kites near electric power lines.
- Do not attempt to retrieve kite if caught in power lines.
- Do not climb trees near power lines.
- Teach your child proper use of extension cords: do not overload, do not run under carpets, run behind furniture, etc.
- Use only flame-retardant and noncombustible costumes for Halloween.
- Be a good role model.
- Involve children in planning and practicing safety and fire drills.
- Always dress in non-flammable sleepwear.
Teenage safety
- Allow lawnmower engines to cool before refueling.
- Work on cars outdoors only, gasoline vapors may ignite.
- Never open radiator cap if car overheats, allow to cool.
- Use caution with hair dryers and long hair, hair can be pulled into motor and catch fire.
- Use caution with curling irons.
- Avoid too much sun--use adequate sunscreen and/or clothing.
- Use caution when using hobby glues and finishes; vapors can ignite or cause loss of consciousness.
- Inquire about fire and safety issues for any new job.
- Do not use fireworks.
- Use matches and lighters with caution.
- Never throw aerosol cans in a fire, they can explode.
- Never ignite vapors from aerosol cans, they can explode.
- Never use gasoline to start a fire.
- Never smoke while refueling a car.
- Never smoke while using an aerosol can (hairspray, paint, etc.).
- Always use ashtrays for cigarettes and matches.
- Do not wear loose clothing around open flames.
- No fooling around or fighting while cooking.
- Learn what to do when smoke alarm goes off:
- Yell FIRE! Warn anyone who may be home.
- Follow preplanned escape routes.
- Do not try to save anything (CDs, jewelry, pets, etc.) except yourself.
- If you see smoke, keep low, crawl, take short breaths or use wet cloth over nose or mouth.
- Feel doors, if hot, do not open, find alternate route.
- Do not re-enter until told to do so by an adult.
- Babysitting Safety:
- Know contact phone numbers.
- Ask about escape plan.
- Never leave child alone.
- Don't smoke.
- Ask about cooking privileges.
- Never carry hot foods or liquids and a child at the same time.
- No loose or large sleeves while cooking.
- Never leave child alone in the kitchen.
- Do not allow child under foot while cooking.
- If bathing a child, gather all supplies prior to bath.
- Run cold water first, then add warm.
- Test water with wrist or thermometer.
- If you need to leave bathroom, take child with you.
Family safety
Develop a plan of escape, know two ways out of every room, and practice at least every six months.
Electrical outlets and cords
- Do not overload outlets or cords.
- Keep safety plugs in unused outlets.
- Connect only one heat-producing appliance (toaster, coffee maker, etc.) per outlet.
- Do not run cords under carpets or rugs.
- Do not use frayed or broken cords.
- Keep cords out of high traffic areas.
- Run cords behind furniture.
Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves
- Always use a screen.
- Build small fires only.
- Don't burn paper or trash, sparks can fly.
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned yearly.
- Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood.
- Remove ashes in metal container and store them outside.
- Never leave children alone with fire.
Smoke alarms
- Test them monthly.
- Never paint them.
- Clean them frequently.
- Install them outside all bedrooms.
- Install them on each level, including basement.
- Change batteries twice a year.
- Install special units for visual/hearing impaired.
- "Chirping" indicates low battery.
- Never "borrow" batteries from smoke detectors.
Space heaters
- Keep them three feet away from anything flammable, including walls.
- Use only recommended fuel.
- Cool unit before adding fuel.
- Refill fuel in vented area.
- Turn off before leaving home or going to bed.
- Do not use an extension cord on unit.
- Use an electric heater that has automatic shut off for accidental tip overs.
Kitchens
- Never leave food cooking on stove unsupervised.
- Never leave young children alone in the kitchen.
- Turn all panhandles to back of stove.
- Have fire extinguisher nearby, not over stove.
- Keep cords on appliances short by coiling them.
- Never store flammable items on stove.
- Never store snacks on or above stove.
- Do not plug appliances into stovetop outlet, cords could catch fire.
- Wear short or rolled, tight fitting sleeves while cooking.
- Always have a lid handy in case of grease fires.
- Use only rubber-backed area rugs in kitchen.
- Fasten oven door so child will not use it as a step.
- Do not use area rugs near stove.
- Cook on rear burners.
Microwaves
- Never use metal or aluminum foil.
- Do not use glass or ceramic with metal trims; they can cause lip burns or sparks.
- If fire occurs, unplug, do not open door.
- Never place eggs in shell in microwave.
- Use oven mitts to remove food.
- Never let young children (under 7) remove hot food.
- Use caution when heating jelly donuts, jelly becomes extremely hot.
- Never run when empty.
- Open microwave popcorn bag away from face.
- Always stir food before serving, there may be hot spots.
- Always check food temperature before giving to young children.
- Use only microwave safe containers.
Miscellaneous
- Burn candles in appropriate containers only.
- Set water heater temperature at no more than 120 degrees.
- Do not flush toilets or run other water sources while shower is in use.
- Wet contents of ashtrays before disposing.
- Never store gasoline in your home.
- Always store chemicals in the original containers, keep out of reach of children.
- Never use gasoline as a cleaner or remover.
- Never prime a carburetor with gasoline.
- Keep baby equipment out of direct sunlight, plastic and metal parts can get very hot in the sun.
- Have furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned yearly.
- Use cool mist vaporizers only and keep safe distance from bed or crib.
- Use charcoal lighter fluid to soak charcoal, never re-soak after lighting, because the can may explode.
- Never use gasoline for charcoal.
- Have water source nearby with any open burning.
- Never allow children around an open fire.
- Purchase only non-flammable sleep wear.
- Wear shoes or sandals outside: cigarettes, sand, pavement, asphalt, tar, etc. can all cause burns.
- Never carry gasoline in your trunk.
- Seat belt buckles get hot and can cause contact burn.
- Overnight guests should be made aware of fire exit plan.
Bathroom
- Bath time is not playtime.
- Water temperature: no more than 120 degrees.
- Do not leave child alone.
- Run cold water first for tub, then warm.
- Check with thermometer or wrist, prior to entering tub.
- Face child away from faucet.
- Have clearly marked Hot and Cold faucets.
- Do not leave personal appliances near sinks or bathtubs. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFI) will disconnect if appliance is dropped in water.
- Never use space heater in bathroom.
- Keep chemicals (cleaners, hair dyes, etc.) in original containers and out of reach.
- Dry hands before touching electrical appliances.
- Install slide-bolt latch on upper, outside bathroom door to keep toddlers out and safe.
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