Florida Child Injury Law Blog

Archive for February, 2012

The first week in February is National Burn Awareness Week.  Although burns are not something most of us think about every day, they are a major cause of injuries, many of which are preventable.  Here are some statistics:

 Children and Burns

Children are especially vulnerable to burns because their skin is thinner. These are some facts and figures about children and burns:

 Preventing Burns in Children 

Safe Kids North Central Florida offers these guidelines for preventing children from suffering burn injuries:

• Reduce water temperature. Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Consider putting anti-scald devices on water faucets and shower heads. Check the bathwater with your wrist or elbow before placing your child in it.
• Prevent spills. Cook with pots and pans on back burners; turn handles away from the front. Avoid wearing long sleeves or baggy clothes in the kitchen. Don’t place containers of hot food or liquid near the edge of a counter or table and remove tablecloths.
• Establish a “kid-free zone.” Make the stove area a ’kid-free zone” (3 feet is a good distance). Mark it on the floor with bright tape. Never leave your child alone in the kitchen. Don’t hold children while cooking or carrying hot foods and beverages.
• Test food and drink temperature. Taste cooked foods and heated liquids to make sure they’re not too hot for children. Never microwave a baby’s bottle. Instead, heat bottles with warm water and test them before feeding your child.
•  Keep electrical cords out of reach. Make sure electrical cords can’t be pulled into a bathtub or sink. Don’t leave a hot iron sitting on an ironing board unattended.
• Childproof your home. Cover open electrical outlets so children can’t insert metal objects into outlets. Lock matches, lighters, and flammable materials out of a child’s reach. Keep children away from candles and other open flames.
• Actively supervise children—always!
• Don’t let children play with or ignite fireworks. Fireworks injured more than 2,304 children in 2006.
• Gasoline cans should have child resistant gas caps. Keep all flammable liquids out of sight and reach of children and don’t let children play with matches or gasoline.
• Install a smoke alarm on each level of your home and in every sleeping area. Make sure each alarm actually works.

• To read more about burn injuries, visit http://safetytoolboxtalks.com/toolbox-talks-mainmenu-2/39-general/197-national-burn-awareness-week.  Safety Tool Box was the source of the statistics given here.

Child injury attorney Jim Dodson is author of “When Kids Suffer Big Injuries,” available free of charge to Florida residents who have suffered an injury due to another’s carelessness. This informative guide answers questions about insurance coverages, getting medical bills paid and much more. Call 727-446-0840 or visit www.jimdodsonlaw.com for your copy today.