The American Burn Association has designated February 5–11, 2023, National Burn Awareness Week.  Nearly 500,000 people seek medical treatment for burns every in the United States.  An estimated 72 percent of burns occur at home according to the American Burn Association (ABA). Hot liquids, such as coffee, tea, soup and tap water, can cause serious burn injuries.  Below are some safety tips and links to Burn Prevention Faction Sheets to learn more about preventing burns in the home.

Safety Tips:

  • When bathing a child, be sure to run your hand through the water to ensure there are no hot spots that could cause injury.
  • Avoid a dangerous balancing act.  Never old a child while carrying hot foods.
  • Establish a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
  • When taking food out of the oven, always wear oven mitts to prevent scald injury.
  • Never hold a child while drinking hot liquids to avoid an accidental spill.
  • Keep your child safe.  Never hold a child while cooking to avoid a scald injury.
  • Warning: Handle with Care!  Microwaved food can be hot enough to cause a burn.  Always open lids away from your body.
  • Use a tight-fitting lid with travel mugs to prevent a burn if the cup tips over.

Burn Prevention Fact Sheets