Scald Prevention

American Burn Association

Burn Prevention Committee

Scald Prevention

• The following questions will be addressed:– Who are the victims of scald burns?– How do scald injuries occur?– How can scald injuries be prevented?– What are the appropriate first aid responses?

Scald Prevention Objectives

• Describe the severity of a scald burn injury

• List the major causes of scald burn injury

• Demonstrate initial understanding of appropriate first aid for a scald burn

• List and identify scald burn injuries by age and group

• List scald burn prevention strategies

What is a Scald?

• Scalds result from the destruction of one or more layers of the skin due to contact with hot liquid or steam

Scald Prevention

• 1.5 - 2 million burns occur annually in the US and Canada

• Scalds account for 75% of all burns in children under 4 years of age

Scalds - High Risk Groups

• Elderly

• People with physical or mental challenges

Scald Prevention - Young Children

• Nearly 24,000 children are treated in hospital emergency departments every year for scald injuries*

• Skin is thinner - results in deeper burns– lower temperature– shorter contact

*Source: National SAFE KIDS

Scald Prevention - Young Children

• Have little control over their environment

• Less perception of danger

• Lack ability to escape a burning situation on their own

Scald Prevention - Older Adults

• Have thinner skin

• Decreased ability to feel heat due to medical conditions or medications

• Prone to falls in the bathtub, shower or while carrying hot liquids

Scald Prevention - Special Needs

• Mobility impairments– slow or awkward movements– muscle weakness– fatigue– slower reflexes

• Increased risk of spills while moving hot liquids• Decreased ability to remove themselves from hot

tap water

Scald Prevention - Special Needs

• Sensory impairments– inability to feel heat

• Changes in intellect, perception, memory, judgement or awareness may hinder a person’s ability to recognize a dangerous situation

Scald Prevention

• Most injuries occur in two specific areas of the home– kitchen– bathroom

Scald Prevention

Scald Prevention

• Functions of skin– Protection– Prevention– Regulation– Sensation

Burn Characteristics

• Superficial (first degree) burns– Causes: sunburn,

minor scalds

– heals in 3-5 days with no scarring

• Characteristics– minor damage to the

skin

– pink to red

– painful

– skin is dry without blisters

Superficial /first degree

Burn Characteristics

• Partial thickness (second degree) burns– damages, but does not

destroy, top two layers of skin

– heals in 10-21 days

• Characteristics– skin: moist, wet and

weepy

– blisters present

– bright pink to red

Partial thickness / second degree

Burn Characteristics

• Full thickness (third degree) burns– destroys all layers of

the skin

– may involve fat, muscle or bone

– will require skin grafts

• Characteristics– bright red

– dry - no blisters

– waxy white

– tan or brown

– insensate

Full thickness / third degree

Extent/Percent of Injury

Emergency Burn Care

• Primary Survey– Airway– Breathing– Circulation

• Secondary Survey– head-to-toe

Emergency Burn Care

• History

• Immediate measures to save a life– Cool– Cover– Carry

Scald Burn - Causes

• Tap water

• Food and hot beverages

• Steam

Scalds - Kitchen Hazards

• Pots and pans

• Microwave ovens

• Hot liquids

• Coffee

• Baby bottles

Food and Beverage Related Scalds

Deep frying 500o F.

Baking 400o F.

Frying 300o F.

Boiling 212o F. / 100o C.

Electric crock pot 200o F.

Freshly prepared coffee,tea or hot chocolate

160 - 180o F.

These cooking methods can cause serious burns in less than 1 second

Coffee Scald

Coffee Scald

Scalds - Bathroom Hazards

• Hot water heater settings

• Unsupervised child

Tap Water ScaldsTime and Temperature Relationship

155o F. 68o C. 1 second140o F. 60o C. 5 seconds127o F. 52o C. 1 minute120o F. 48o C. 5 minutes100o F. 37o C. safe bathing temperature

Tap Water

Scald Prevention - Bathroom

• Reduction of hot water heater temperature

• Install tempering or anti-scald devices

• Never leave a child unattended

• Turn valve off in the “cold” position

Scald Prevention - Hot Water Heater

• Turn water heater down to 120o F. or 48o C.

• Always run cold water first, then add hot water

• Always supervise children in the bathroom

Tap water - shower

Scald Prevention - Kitchen

• Pots and pans– turn handles back away from the stove edge

• Microwave– stir and test foods before serving– do not use to heat baby bottles

• Cooking appliances– cords coiled and away from counter edge

Grease

Pressure cooker

Scald Prevention - Hot Liquids

• Establish a safety zone around cooking appliances

• Use non-slip placemats instead of tablecloths

• Do not place hot liquids on low tables

• Supervise children at all times

Potpourri pot

Scald Prevention - Hot Liquids

• Never let children carry containers of hot liquids

• Never hold a child while working next to a stove or other cooking appliance– coffee pot, fry pan, microwave oven, etc.

Coffee

Scald Prevention - Conclusion