Burn wounds are extremely painful and often life-threatening. They take a long time to heal and more often than not, leave the victim with serious, lifelong scarring.
South Africa has a particularly high rate of childhood burns, with as many as 1 300 burn-related deaths annually, and this incidence peaks during the winter months. But, by being aware of the main risk factors for childhood burns, it is possible to reduce them and keep children – and adults – safe.
During the winter months, it is important to be very vigilant and keep children from being burnt by heaters, fires, hot water and hot plates. It is vital that parents and teachers educate themselves and then their children to reduce the incidence of burns.
Unfortunately, those who suffer the most burn-related injuries during this time are children. While no parent should ever feel guilty about the circumstances leading to a child being burnt accidentally, there are many steps that can be taken to make one’s home safer.
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Burn rates spike among children aged two to three, and again when they start school. Both these spikes coincide with a sudden increase in independence. So, while it is important to protect a child from burns, it is equally important to educate them from an early age on what they can and cannot do.
Tips to prevent burn injuries, include:
•Hotplates – especially if these are placed on the floor or a low table. It is very easy for a crawling child to reach for a hotplate or fall onto one on the ground. Try to keep hotplates out of reach or behind a barrier.
• Kettles. If these are on the floor, the risk of injury is the same as with a hot plate. When these are placed on a low surface, especially if the kettle cord dangles, a child can easily overturn the kettle over themselves.
• Any electrical wires that lead to heating devices. Small children see electrical cords as helpful ropes to pull themselves up with. Always make sure that cords lie against the wall with furniture against them, and never dangling off the edge of a table or cupboard.
• If your child is in the same room as a fire or heater, never leave them alone and never stop watching them. Remember that a child doesn’t have to be walking or even crawling to be mobile.
• Keep lighters, matches and any flammable liquid like paraffin out of your child’s reach.
• From a very early age, teach them that all these items can hurt them.
• Teach your children to Stop, Drop and Roll if their clothes catch on fire and if these steps are taken quickly, they can prevent being burnt severely.
• Speak to your child’s daycare owner, teacher or principal about the in-school educational steps they are taking to make children aware of burn risks, and campaign for better education if none exists.
It is possible for anyone in a family to suffer a burn injury at any time, so while it is important to ramp up the vigilance in winter, don’t let your guard down all year round.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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