Scald Injury Prevention Scald Injury Prevention

Scald Safety

Scald PreventionScald Prevention

Developed by:American Burn AssociationBurn Prevention Committee

Developed by:American Burn AssociationBurn Prevention Committee

Funded by:United States Fire Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency

Funded by:United States Fire Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency

Scald Safety

Fire and Burn Death and InjuryFire and Burn Death and Injury

Deaths4,000 deaths a yearfrom fire and burns

Injuries 25,000 hospitalized in burn centers

600,000 burn injuries treated in hospital EDs

(Close to half of all burn injuries treated in hospital emergency departments and one-third of admissions to burn centers are scald injuries)

Deaths4,000 deaths a yearfrom fire and burns

Injuries 25,000 hospitalized in burn centers

600,000 burn injuries treated in hospital EDs

(Close to half of all burn injuries treated in hospital emergency departments and one-third of admissions to burn centers are scald injuries)(Sources: National Fire Protection Association,

National Center for Health Statistics; American Burn Association, National Burn Repository, 2005)

(Sources: National Fire Protection Association,National Center for Health Statistics;

American Burn Association, National Burn Repository, 2005)

Scald Safety

What is a Scald Injury?What is a Scald Injury?

A scald injury occurs…–When contact with hot

liquid or steam damages one or more layers of skin

A scald injury occurs…–When contact with hot

liquid or steam damages one or more layers of skin

Scald Safety

Scald Prevention TopicsScald Prevention Topics

What are the main sourcesof scald injury?

Who are the most frequent victims?

How can scald injury be prevented?

What are the appropriatefirst-aid responses?

What are the main sourcesof scald injury?

Who are the most frequent victims?

How can scald injury be prevented?

What are the appropriatefirst-aid responses?

Scald Safety

Frequent Scald Burn SourcesFrequent Scald Burn Sources

Hot tap water

Hot beverages

Hot food

Steam

Hot tap water

Hot beverages

Hot food

Steam

Scald Safety

Most Frequent Scald Injury Victims Most Frequent Scald Injury Victims

Young children Older adults People with disabilities

Young children Older adults People with disabilities

Scald Safety

Young Children and Scald InjuryYoung Children and Scald Injury

60% of all scald injuriesare to young children

60% of all scald injuriesare to young children

Young Children

(Ages 0-4)60%

All Other Ages40%

Young Children

(Ages 0-4)60%

All Other Ages40%

All Other Burns25%

Scalds75%

All Other Burns25%

Scalds75%

(Source: National Center for Health Statistics) (Source: National Center for Health Statistics)

75% of all burns 75% of all burns to young childrento young children

are scaldsare scalds

75% of all burns 75% of all burns to young childrento young children

are scaldsare scalds

Scald Safety

Young Children and Scald InjuryYoung Children and Scald Injury

Curiosity, imitation

Limited understanding of danger

Limited ability to react quickly to hot contact

Thin skin = deeper burn

Curiosity, imitation

Limited understanding of danger

Limited ability to react quickly to hot contact

Thin skin = deeper burn

Scald Safety

Older Adults and Scald InjuryOlder Adults and Scald Injury

Thin skin

Reduced mobility, agility

Reduced ability to feel heat, due to health conditions or medication

Thin skin

Reduced mobility, agility

Reduced ability to feel heat, due to health conditions or medication

Scald Safety

People with Special Needs and Scald InjuryPeople with Special Needs and Scald Injury

Sensory impairment

Mobility or other physical impairment

Diminishedmental capacity

Sensory impairment

Mobility or other physical impairment

Diminishedmental capacity

Scald Safety

Common Sites of Scald Injury Common Sites of Scald Injury

Kitchen or dining area -Spills while handling or moving

hot foods and liquids,

often involving children

Bathing area

-Inability to remove self from hot water

Kitchen or dining area -Spills while handling or moving

hot foods and liquids,

often involving children

Bathing area

-Inability to remove self from hot water

Scald Safety

Scald Injury Severity Factors Scald Injury Severity Factors

Length of contact with hot substance Temperature of substance Nature of substance– Is it thick or sticky? – Does it retain heat?

Extent of body area scalded Location of scald

Length of contact with hot substance Temperature of substance Nature of substance– Is it thick or sticky? – Does it retain heat?

Extent of body area scalded Location of scald

Scald Safety

Protecting Children From ScaldsProtecting Children From Scalds

Household changes

Everyday precautions

Child supervision

Household changes

Everyday precautions

Child supervision

Scald Safety

Protecting Children from Scalds:Kitchen and Dining Areas

Protecting Children from Scalds:Kitchen and Dining Areas

Household modifications

Mark and explaina “kid-free zone”

Put away tablecloths

Use spill-resistant“travel mugs”

Household modifications

Mark and explaina “kid-free zone”

Put away tablecloths

Use spill-resistant“travel mugs”

Scald Safety

Protecting Children from Scalds:Kitchen and Dining Areas

Protecting Children from Scalds:Kitchen and Dining Areas

Everyday preparations

Keep friends, relatives, and sitters informed Turn pan handles away from stove front Observe safe microwave oven practices Protect electric cooking appliances and cords

Everyday preparations

Keep friends, relatives, and sitters informed Turn pan handles away from stove front Observe safe microwave oven practices Protect electric cooking appliances and cords

Scald Safety

Protecting Children from Scalds:Kitchen and Dining Areas

Protecting Children from Scalds:Kitchen and Dining Areas

Scald-safe child supervision

Supervise young children at all times Encourage use of “kid-safe” zone Never hold a child in your arm:–While preparing or serving hot food –While drinking a hot beverage

Keep hot food and liquids high and out of the reach of young children

Scald-safe child supervision

Supervise young children at all times Encourage use of “kid-safe” zone Never hold a child in your arm:–While preparing or serving hot food –While drinking a hot beverage

Keep hot food and liquids high and out of the reach of young children

Scald Safety

Protecting Children and Adults from Scalds:Bathing Areas

Protecting Children and Adults from Scalds:Bathing Areas

Household Modifications

Establish safe hot water temperature

If this is not possible, install tempering valve or safe faucet and shower heads

Install non-slip bath, shower mats

Install grab bar in shower stall

Household Modifications

Establish safe hot water temperature

If this is not possible, install tempering valve or safe faucet and shower heads

Install non-slip bath, shower mats

Install grab bar in shower stall

Scald Safety

Setting a Safe Hot Water Temperature Setting a Safe Hot Water Temperature

Time and temperature relationship required to scald a healthy adult

Time and temperature relationship required to scald a healthy adult

155° F155° F 68° C68° C 1 Second1 Second

140° F140° F 60° C60° C 5 Seconds5 Seconds

127° F127° F 52° C52° C 1 Minute1 Minute

120° F120° F 48° C48° C 5 Minutes5 Minutes

100° F 38° C Safe Bathing Temperature

Scald Safety

Tap Water ScaldTap Water Scald

Scald Safety

Maximum Water Temperature StandardsMaximum Water Temperature Standards

Recommended maximum residential standard

120°F (48°C) (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Nursing homes and child care facilities 110°F (43°C) (Recommended and by some state or local

regulations)

Recommended maximum residential standard

120°F (48°C) (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Nursing homes and child care facilities 110°F (43°C) (Recommended and by some state or local

regulations)

Scald Safety

Measuring Hot Water Temperature Measuring Hot Water Temperature

Run hot waterup to two minutes at tap

Test temperature withcooking thermometer

Run hot waterup to two minutes at tap

Test temperature withcooking thermometer

Scald Safety

Establishing a Safe Hot Water Temperature Establishing a Safe Hot Water Temperature

If initial test temperature is above 120° F (48° C), lower heater thermostat setting

Initial test temperature below 120°F/48°C may not prove safety is constant

Retest several times until safe temperature settingis assured

If initial test temperature is above 120° F (48° C), lower heater thermostat setting

Initial test temperature below 120°F/48°C may not prove safety is constant

Retest several times until safe temperature settingis assured

Scald Safety

Bathroom Scald Prevention - EquipmentBathroom Scald Prevention - Equipment

Direct (scald prevention)

Tempering valve – on water line

Anti-scald valves – on shower heads

and faucets

Direct (scald prevention)

Tempering valve – on water line

Anti-scald valves – on shower heads

and faucets

Scald Safety

Bathroom Scald Prevention - EquipmentBathroom Scald Prevention - Equipment

Indirect (fall prevention) Grab bars Non-slip mats

in tub/shower, on floor Shower/bath seat

Indirect (fall prevention) Grab bars Non-slip mats

in tub/shower, on floor Shower/bath seat

Scald Safety

Bathroom Scald Prevention - PrecautionsBathroom Scald Prevention - Precautions

For single control faucet,always turn on and offin the “cold” position

For dual control faucet,always turn “cold” fauceton first, and off last

Make sure all household members and caregivers understand these controls

For single control faucet,always turn on and offin the “cold” position

For dual control faucet,always turn “cold” fauceton first, and off last

Make sure all household members and caregivers understand these controls

Scald Safety

Bathroom Scald Prevention - BehaviorsBathroom Scald Prevention - Behaviors

Check water temperature before placing child in tub or shower

Instruct carefully any older siblings who help bathe young children

Young children should never be left alone in the tub

Check water temperature before placing child in tub or shower

Instruct carefully any older siblings who help bathe young children

Young children should never be left alone in the tub

Scald Safety

Emergency Care of Scald InjuryEmergency Care of Scald Injury

Remove scald victim from source

Remove all affected clothing,diapers, shoes, etc.

Cool scalded area briefly with cool water

Cover with clean, dry covering

Do not apply creams, salves or ointments

Call 9-1-1

Remove scald victim from source

Remove all affected clothing,diapers, shoes, etc.

Cool scalded area briefly with cool water

Cover with clean, dry covering

Do not apply creams, salves or ointments

Call 9-1-1

Scald Safety

Scald Prevention – Some Important PointsScald Prevention – Some Important Points

Limited mobility and thin skin increase risk and severity for the young and old

Keep young children away when cooking, or when drinking hot beverages

Test hot water temperature and establish thermostat setting at or below 120°F/48°C

Limited mobility and thin skin increase risk and severity for the young and old

Keep young children away when cooking, or when drinking hot beverages

Test hot water temperature and establish thermostat setting at or below 120°F/48°C