Scald BurnsScald Burns
• Scald burns are the Scald burns are the leading causes of burns.leading causes of burns.
• Children under 5 years of Children under 5 years of age make up only about age make up only about 6% of the Massachusetts 6% of the Massachusetts population.population.
• In 2000, 62 of the 143 In 2000, 62 of the 143 reported scald burns reported scald burns occurred in children less occurred in children less than 5 years of age.than 5 years of age.
• Children who are 12 Children who are 12 months old or younger months old or younger account for the majority.account for the majority.
Scald BurnsScald Burns
• Hot beverages, cooking Hot beverages, cooking liquids, and tap water are liquids, and tap water are most frequently the causes most frequently the causes of scald burns.of scald burns.
• Hot water heaters: It only Hot water heaters: It only takes seconds of water takes seconds of water exposure to create a exposure to create a significant scald burn at significant scald burn at 150ºF.150ºF.
• Hot water heaters should be Hot water heaters should be set at 125 ºF or lower to set at 125 ºF or lower to ensure child safety.ensure child safety.
Smoke Detectors
• Multiple smoke detectors
• Replace your smoke detector batteries at least twice a year
• Check monthly• Daylight savings• Do not remove your
battery for another purpose
Smoke Detectors
50% reduction in fire fatalities since the introduction of smoke alarms into the home. 60% percent of fatal fires occur in homes without smoke alarms. A majority of deaths occurred as a result of dead or missing batteries. www.usfa.fema.gov
