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Livingston, N.J. -
When people think of burn injuries, they often associate them with fire,
but that is only one segment of the injuries treated in a burn center. According
to the American Burn Association, approximately 32 percent of all inpatient
admissions to burn centers in North America are for scalds.
Scalding is any burn that is caused by a hot liquid. It can be
bath water that is too hot or soup out of the microwave that is spilled
while being carried to the table. Either way, it is as catastrophic
a burn injury as any other and can often be fatal.
The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas, the only certified burn treatment
facility in New Jersey, is joining the Prevention Committee of the American
Burn Association in its campaign to eradicate scald burns. Burn injuries,
particularly scalds, are preventable by simply becoming aware of the
problem and making some small changes in your daily routine.
While everyone is vulnerable to scald injuries, especially in the winter
months, scald burns appear to be most prevalent in children under five
years of age and older adults primarily do to developmental changes. In
children, curiosity and lack of coordination may lead to many accidents. For
adults, it is changes in sensory perception that lead to a scald injury.
For many of us, as we get older, we tend to get used to doing things
a certain way and may become complacent and somewhat resistant to change,” says
Lisa Jones, Community Burn Educator for The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas. “A
few simple modifications in your routine can prevent a life-altering
incident.”
Two areas of most concern are scalds from bath water and hot liquids. The
temperature of water used for bathing is especially significant for
children and older adults, whose skin is thinner and more susceptible
to a deeper burn. A bath or shower that is too hot can be fatal and
it can all be avoided by simply lowering your hot water temperature.
“Hot liquids, such as coffee, tea and soup pose risks as well
and burn just as severely as fire,” explains Ms. Jones. Hot liquids
need to be treated with care, especially around children. It only
takes an instant for a curious child to pull down a cup of hot coffee
off a table.”
The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas recommends the following tips for
preventing scald burn:
- Homeowners should check the temperature of
their water heater and set the thermostat at
120 degrees. Ms. Jones cautions that thermostats
set at higher temperatures greatly increase your
chances of a scald burn.
- For those unable to lower the temperature on
their water heater they can use a meat thermometer
to check the temperature of the hot water. This
will increase your awareness and cause you to
think twice about running the hot water without
mixing it with cold water to lower the overall
temperature.
- Toddlers should NOT be bathing in water over
100 degrees. If the water feels hot to
an adult, it will be scalding to a youngster
and will need to be cooled prior to bathing.
- Younger children cannot verbalize and older
adults often cannot properly feel pain from a
scald burn until it is too late. Taking
proper precautions prior to using tap water in
your home can prevent injuries.
- Keep all hot foods, especially liquids, away
from curious hands. Center them in the middle
of a table or on back of a counter, keeping cords
and pot handles turned inward.
- Limit the use of table cloths, place mats or
anything toddlers (especially those just learning
to walk) may grab onto, causing hot items to
splash down.
- Avoid carrying children while holding hot beverages;
never hold a cup of hot coffee or tea in the
beverage holder of a stroller. Consider
using travel mugs, even at home to minimize risk
of scalds.
The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas is New Jersey’s
only certified burn treatment facility. With 12 intensive care beds
and an 18-bed Step-down unit for less critically injured patients,
The Burn Center is one of the largest in the U. S. and Canada and
cares for more than 400 patients annually. To arrange for educational
programs, please contact The Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Outreach/Education
Office at 973-322-8071.
Public Relations : SAMANTHA ANTON, 973-322-4922
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