Burns and Scalds

Our cup of tea or coffee might be the little relief that helps us get through our days at the moment. But hot drinks pose a serious danger to little hands that can grab when our backs are turned.

The same goes for hot pans in the endless round of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not to mention bath water scalds when we’re distracted and forgetful.

For parents under pressure, preventing serious burns at home in lockdown can seem like too much to think about.

But with these simple tips parents can feel like they are winning against burns, even when they’re feeling burnt out. Please read and share as widely as you can.

This new family-friendly content is free for you to download or copy and paste into your newsletters, add to your websites, share on social media or circulate to other organisations who support families.

If you have any problems or need any help please email: [email protected]

Word doc	Prevent burns article	download
Word doc	Prevent burns article (short)	download
Social media: hot drinks	Copy this text: Anyone looking after children 24/7 right now deserves all the tea or coffee they can drink. Just remember to put your cuppa down in a safe spot out of reach of little hands that can grab as soon as your back is turned. You’ll be winning against hot drink burns. #childsafetyweek #SafetyMakesSense	download image 1 download image 2
Social media: cooking	Copy this text: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, repeat … sound like your life at the moment? When you’re exhausted it’s easy to get distracted, so use the back rings of the cooker and turn pan handles in. It keeps danger out of reach of little hands that grab. #childsafetyweek #SafetyMakesSense	download image
Social media: bathtime	Copy this text: An easy win to avoid horrendous bath water scalds … get in the habit of putting the cold in first and top up with hot. You’ll be saving your child from the risk of falling or climbing into a boiling bath. #childsafetyweek #SafetyMakesSense	download image
Logo	We support Child Safety Week logo	download
Fact sheet	Safe from burns	download
First aid advice	Cool, call, cover	download
Illustration	Burns	download image 1 download image 2
Parents pack	Parents pack	download

Latest

Safe with Sam Survey
Toddler’s tragic accident highlights the dangers of blind cords

A two-year-old boy has been strangled by a window blind cord, highlighting how important it is to be aware of blind cords safety in your home.
Magnetic toys – a warning to parents

The worrying case of a three-year-old highlights a disturbing trend in serious injuries from children swallowing small, round, coloured magnets from magnetic toys.
Battery lodged in baby’s food pipe for four months

11-month-old Sofia-Grace was rejecting solid food because she had a button battery lodged in her throat for four months. The outcome could well have been catastrophic.

Magnetic toys – a warning to parents

The worrying case of a three-year-old highlights a disturbing trend in serious injuries from children swallowing small, round, coloured magnets from magnetic toys.
Battery lodged in baby’s food pipe for four months

11-month-old Sofia-Grace was rejecting solid food because she had a button battery lodged in her throat for four months. The outcome could well have been catastrophic.
Button batteries

Button batteries, particularly big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries, can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe. Find out how to keep children safe.
Parents

Our Parents Pack is full of quick wins that can help put you in charge of child safety, even when you’re feeling under pressure. Download your copy here.
Donate

Every penny of your donation counts towards the vital work we do in preventing childhood accidents and life-changing injuries. Please donate what you can.
Help families have fun safely this fireworks night

Cancelled fireworks events don’t mean no fun for the family this year. Here’s how families can make memories and keep safe with this fireworks night.
Going it alone this fireworks night?

We could all do with a bit of magic this year. But with organised displays cancelled due to the restrictions, are you feeling under pressure to provide the magic for the kids yourself this fireworks night?
What does the pandemic mean for fireworks night this year?

With organised fireworks displays cancelled due to pandemic restrictions, the risk of serious injuries is greater than ever this year. Here we offer our top tips for buying fireworks safely and organising a safe display at home.
Fireworks

Watching fireworks is great fun and if you do decide to use fireworks at home, here’s how everyone can stay safe.
In focus: Burns and scalds

Fast boil kettles, fast heating straighteners and hobs - how did we manage without them? But not so good for babies and small children.

Child Safety Week is here!

Do you work with families? Download our free safety advice to share far and wide. We’ve got fact sheets, articles and activity sheets as well as our hugely popular Parents Pack.
Button batteries

Button batteries, particularly big, powerful lithium coin cell batteries, can badly hurt or kill a small child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe. Find out how to keep children safe.
Why are grapes so dangerous?

Doctors have issued a stark warning that young children can choke to death on whole grapes.
Making sense of accidents

Many accidents are a part of growing up. Children need to explore and experiment. But some children suffer the pain of serious accidents that can alter the course of their lives forever. Most of these serious accidents are completely preventable by making simple solutions or changes to routines.
Choking

Each day around 40 under-5s are rushed to hospital after choking on something, or swallowing something dangerous. Be particularly aware of sweet items such as mini eggs around Easter time - these are exactly the same size as a toddler's airway.
In-car safety

In-car safety can be a confusing area for parents and carers. You may find that you're not completely clear about the law, are unsure of the safest way for a child to travel, aren't using the most appropriate restraint or have badly fitting child car seats or booster seats which put a child at risk.
Burns and scalds

95% of all childhood burns and scalds happen at home. Most are caused in the day-to-day situations that many parents don’t anticipate, like children reaching for hot coffee or grabbing hair straighteners.
Parents

Our Parents Pack is full of quick wins that can help put you in charge of child safety, even when you’re feeling under pressure. Download your copy here.
Falls

Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury to children. While most falls aren’t serious – active children often fall over – some falls can lead to death or long-term disability.
Fidget spinners – a hidden hazard in the latest playground craze

Fidget spinners are the latest playground craze but doctors have raised concerns about cheap fidget spinners with LED lights powered by small button batteries.