59 Words: 11 Hidden Dangers in the Home that can cause Burns in Children

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There are many hidden burn hazards in the house. There are some simple things that you can do to help avoid having a problem. There are often hazards that you just wouldn’t even think of. The following are some ways to avoid burn hazards for kids in the house.
Turn the water heater to a lower temperature
Many people have their water heater at a higher temperature than they really need. They may never turn the water up to its full heat because they simply do not need it that hot. A lot of times the water heater is set up so high that just touching the water at that level would cause a burn. If the child turns on only the hot water or changes the water in the shower without you seeing it then he or she can very quickly burn themselves significantly. Many people do not realize how many burns in children actually come from scalding water and not from fire. The fix for this is simple. It is usually fairly easy to turn down the temperature on your water heater. You can still keep it hot enough to fulfill your needs but not so scalding that it can badly burn your child. It will give you a sense of ease when the child starts washing his or her hands by themselves, which they often do at a fairly young age.
Use the back burners on the stove when possible
Many children do not realize the danger that the stove poses. They may reach their hands up, and disaster can come. If you can, you might want to use the back burners, which might be much more difficult for a child to reach. If something falls, it might not fall directly on top of the child. If there is something splashing from it, then it is less likely to splash on the child. In addition, if it accidentally catches on fire, it will only be that much further from the child. Sometimes you will not have a choice because of the size of the burners, but if you do, you might want to consider going further back. You might even want to consider the setup of the burners when purchasing a stove.
Do not keep candles within reach of children
Many people light candles even with children who do not understand the danger of it. You must be very careful with candles. That tiny flame can start an entire house fire. Remember, children can climb, and they can also often shake tables or other places where the candle might be. Also be sure to keep away other items such as matches or lighters, which can cause a fire.
Updated On: 03/15/2010 Published On: 03/15/2010 Things you shouldn’t spend money on when pregnant