Burns

Severe burn injury can be life threatening, and even small burns can be dangerous for young children. All are painful and can have a lasting impact on your life.

The majority of burns are PREVENTABLE and by being aware and making small changes, you can help to keep you and your family safe!

Types of burns

  • Scald: A burn caused by hot liquid or steam. For example, hot drinks and bath water.
  • Contact: A burn caused by contact with a hot object or surface. For example, heaters, ovens, and bike exhausts.
  • Flame: A burn caused by contact with an open flame or explosion. For example, campfires and candles.
  • Electrical: A burn caused by exposure to a live current. For example, putting a knife into a toaster.
  • Chemical: A burn caused by contact with a chemical substance, either on the skin or swallowed. For example, ingestion of drain cleaner.
  • Radiation: A burn caused by exposure to excess of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
  • Friction: A burn caused by the skin rubbing against a surface. For example, treadmills.

The most common type of burn injury for children aged 0–5 years is scalds.

Most scalds in this age group are due to young children mimicking adult behaviour. This frequently results in burn injuries caused by pulling down hot drinks off tables, reaching up to grab handles of saucepans or by playing with the taps in the bath.

To learn more about how to prevent burns to young children download our Keeping Young Children Safe: Burns Prevention and First Aid brochure.

The most common cause of burn injury for adolescents is through fire use and misuse. Older children and young adults have a greater access to dangerous substances including accelerants which aid the spread of fire. Many burns occur when experimenting with materials and accelerants or testing the boundaries with high-risk activities.

To learn more about how to prevent burns to adolescents download our Burns Safety and Adolescents brochure.

  • Always keep hot drinks out of reach of children
  • Never hold a child whilst holding a hot drink
  • Keep children out of the kitchen, especially when cooking is taking place
  • Make sure electrical cords are well out of reach of children
  • Keep irons, hair straighteners and similar items away from children – remember they like to copy what adults do
  • Install safety barriers around fires and heaters
  • Keep heaters and electrical items away from furnishings and flammable materials
  • Install and regularly check smoke alarms
  • Have a fire escape plan and ensure your children understand what to do if there is a fire
  • Always store matches and lighters out of reach in locked cupboards
  • Check the temperature of bath water using a thermometer before placing your child in (the ideal temperature for bathing is 37°- 38° and 36° for a newborn baby)
  • Ensure the delivery temperature of hot water in your bathroom does not exceed 50° If you are not sure you can contact us or a licensed plumber.
  • Always turn off the taps tightly. You can use tap protectors to help prevent children from turning on the taps, you can purchase them from our online store
  • Always put cold water in the bath first, and then add the hot water
  • Keep all chemicals locked away and out of reach of children
  • Check the temperature of play equipment before letting children play on it

It is important to cool a burn immediately to stop the burn from becoming more severe.

If the burn is bigger than a 20c piece or on the hands, face lap or feet, seek medical attention.

Do not use ice or icy water, creams, butter, oil, toothpaste or any other ointment to try and cool down the burn.

Campfires can be a great way to socialise and enjoy time with family and friends. However, they can be dangerous. Extra care should be taken to keep everyone safe.

  • ALWAYS ensure children are closely supervised around campfires
  • NEVER use any flammable liquid (such as petrol) on a fire
  • ALWAYS put out campfires using water
  • NEVER use sand or dirt to put out a campfire. The embers beneath stay hot and remain hot enough to cause serious burns.

Campfire safety

The temperature of water and the time it takes to cause a serious burn injury

Burns and scalds

For more information on burns and scalds visit our resources tab

Click here to access our resources tab

Stay up to date with Kidsafe SA.