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 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

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

Coffee Scald

Scalds - Bathroom Hazards Hot water heater settings Unsupervised child

Tap Water Scalds Time and Temperature Relationship

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 120 o F. or 48 o 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