The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 300 children are treated in emergency rooms across the nation every day for burns. The most common cases involve scald burns from hot liquids. A serious burn injury is for life. Being burned or scalded can translate to years of painful treatment and, in the worst cases, several operations to release the scar tissue.
“So much of preventing injury is being mindful of potential risks,” Brad Parker says. “A lot of it is common sense, like making sure the pot handles are facing backward so kids can’t reach up and pull a pot of boiling liquid on themselves.”
These are a few other safety tips for parents or caregivers:
DO
- Make and practice a fire evacuation plan with the whole family
- Install smoke alarms throughout the entire house and regularly test them
- Keep hot drinks out of reach of young children
- Run cold water first in the bath or sink before adding hot water – test the temperature
- Keep curling irons and hair straighteners out of reach
- Keep secure fire screens in front of open fires, heaters and radiators
- Before placing your child in a car seat, check for hot straps or buckles
- Store matches and lighters out of reach
- Keep cleaners and chemicals out of reach
DON’T
- Warm baby bottles in the microwave
- Drink hot drinks while holding a baby or child
- Put a baby or child into a bath or sink without first testing the water temperature
- Leave children unattended in the kitchen or near fires and heaters
- Leave hair straighteners or curling irons unattended
- Allow children near barbecue pits or outdoor fire pits
- Allow children near fireworks
For parents that work full-time and must leave their child with a caregiver or childcare facility, it’s imperative that they know what to do in case of an emergency and have properly working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Brad says, “If your child is badly burned while in the care of a negligent party, I’d suggest investigating exactly how the injury occurred. There may be a potential for liability in which the child’s parent would be owed compensation for any out-of-pocket expenses.”
At Parker Law Firm, we are board-certified personal injury lawyers and would love to hear your story to see how we can help.
Have You Been Injured In A Texas Accident?
If you’ve been injured you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Bedford, Texas office directly at 817.440.3888 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. We help personal injury clients throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington as well as all areas of Texas.
At Parker Law Firm, our experienced personal injury lawyers believe people matter. We are committed to our clients, not case numbers, and we believe in the power of the civil justice system. With years spent both representing accident victims and participating in the state legislative process, our founder, Brad Parker, has developed a deep understanding of the law and gained unique experience that helps him get results for his clients.
