We’ve all seen it: the stove is on. Mom or Dad turns around for a moment and their young child reaches up towards the hot surface. Hopefully, the adult stops them before they are hurt.
With less awareness of dangerous situations and increased vulnerability to temperature changes, children especially can be at risk for injuries involving burns. The Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford breaks down burn risks by age:
Under 5 years old
- Flame – Young children are at risk for touching matches, lighters, fireplaces, barbecue pits and sometimes trash fires.
- Scald – They also may be burned by hot liquids in the kitchen and bathtubs. This is sometimes associated with insufficient parental supervision or abuse.
Between 5 and 10 years old
- Flame – Male children are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors, including playing with fire.
- Scald – At this age, female children are more likely to be involved in kitchen and bathroom burns.
Above 10 years old (adolescent)
- Flame – Group activities involving adolescent males are more likely to involve flammable products, like gasoline and fireworks.
- Electrical – Male adolescents are also more likely to engage in dare devil behaviors, like climbing utility poles, climbing antennas and moving pipes that touch electrical sources.
While you can’t control everything your child does, it’s best to be aware of what dangers to watch out for. If you child suffers a burn injury under the care of someone else or because of a product malfunction, you may want to speak with a lawyer.
