• Knowledgebase: The One Minute Pediatrician

    These are short topics that Dr. Dennis wrote for use on the radio. Each topic reads in less than one minute!

    16. Burns - Top

    Burns are a very common type of accident and can cause permenant disfiguration or death. Avoidance is the best treatment.

    The following are some simple suggestions:

    1. Smoke detectors on each level of your home.
    2. Keep electrical outlets hidden and covered.
    3. Hot foods and liquids should be inaccessable to small children. They can quickly reach and pull a cup or pot of hot coffee on themselves. [If a child's clothes get soaked with hot liquid, remove the clothes at once. Clothing can keep the hot liquid in contact with the child's skin and you may be able to limit the extent of the burn by acting quickly.]
    4. Cooking pot handles should be turned inward on the stove.
    5. Matches and lighters should be inaccessable.
    6. Wire screen in front of fireplaces.
    7. Keep kerosene heaters away (very common burns)
    8. Flame retardant pajamas (standard now)
    9. Water heaters should be set to 120' (it only takes 20 seconds for 130' water to burn a child).
    - Updated: June 5, 2001

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    • James L Horwitz, MD

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    Barbara Lindberg, PNP