Nursery World - Take care (2)

Burns, however they are caused, will require immediate attention, and prevention calls for vigilance, say doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in our A to Z of health Burns and scalds are among the most common accidents in childhood. Each year, thousands of children end up hospitalised for burns resulting from contact with electricity, hot foods and liquids (scalding), overexposure to the sun, or various accidents. Most of these injuries are preventable. The highest incidence is in children under the age of four, who have little sense of potential danger.

Burns and scalds are among the most common accidents in childhood. Each year, thousands of children end up hospitalised for burns resulting from contact with electricity, hot foods and liquids (scalding), overexposure to the sun, or various accidents. Most of these injuries are preventable. The highest incidence is in children under the age of four, who have little sense of potential danger.

Frequent causes

Children are extremely vulnerable in domestic environments such as kitchens or bathrooms, where they are near cookers, hot food and drinks or running hot water. Holiday periods are an especially volatile time for burns, as the kitchen is often the central focus for family activity.

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