Each year, University Health's pediatric burn program treats painful burns in more than 300 children from across South Texas.
From the emergency room to injury prevention, two experts at University Health share what families need to know. Dr. Christopher Crane , our pediatric burn medical director, discusses the most common causes of serious child burns seen at University Hospital . At the same time, Jennifer Northway, director of Injury Prevention, shares practical steps families can take to help keep children safe and avoid emergency room visits.
1. Soup or Noodles
The biggest burn hazard for kids in our community: Year after year, it’s hot, sticky microwave noodles and soup.
“Many of the burn and scald injuries we treat involve hot soups and noodle dishes. Simply allowing food to cool before serving can help reduce the risk for children and adults,” said Dr. Crane.
Northway offers these tips to prevent soup and noodle burns:
- Stir to distribute heat evenly and let food cool before serving.
- Never let small children heat their own food with the stove or microwave.
- Always use potholders or mitts to move bowls, pots and pans from the stove or microwave.
- Open microwaveable containers away from you to prevent burns from steam.
2. Boiling Water
“Water burns often happen in seconds,” stresses Northway. “Water hot enough to burn can spill from an overturned pot or pour from a hot water faucet.”
Follow these tips to prevent boiling water burns:
- Use the back burners of the stove to reduce the risk of children pulling pots and pans down.
- Create 3-foot “safe zones” in the kitchen to keep kids away from hot liquids and surfaces.
- Turn pot and pan holders inward and away from small hands.
- Set your water heater to 120°F.
Burns from boiling water are considered partial thickness burns, or second-degree burns. While these are more severe than superficial burns, you can still treat this burn at home .
“If you begin to experience popping blisters, go to an urgent care clinic to have a health care provider remove the loose skin,” stresses Dr. Crane. “For more severe burns that appear black, charred or white in color, call 911 for emergency care.”
Find a University Health ExpressMed clinic near you , including our PediExpress clinic , designated for pediatric urgent care.
3. Hot Drinks
Northway suggests parents place hot foods and liquids as far back on the counter as possible so small children can’t reach them and pull them down on themselves.
“We see spills involving kids and teens who are eating hot foods on a couch, bed or gamer chair,” she added. “Kids should sit at a table to enjoy hot foods.”
Tips to prevent hot drink burns:
- Have kids sit upright in a chair when eating or drinking.
- Allow hot drinks to cool before serving.
- Cover hot drinks with a lid.
- Avoid carrying your child while holding a hot drink.
4. Fireworks
Each year, providers at University Health treat firework-related injuries in the emergency department.
Tips to prevent firework burns :
- Keep children away from lit sparklers and fireworks.
- Use glow sticks instead of sparklers; sparklers can reach 1,200°F.
- Never hold a lit firework in your hand.
- Don’t allow children to pick up the spent fireworks; some may still be active and very hot.
- If your child or one of your guests is injured, seek medical attention immediately.
5. Hot Oil or Grease
Hot oil and grease can splatter from foods cooking or frying on the stove. Keep your children safe from hot oil or grease burns with these tips:
- Never leave children unattended in the kitchen.
- Don’t carry children while cooking.
- Turn pot and pan handles inward.
- Use back burners.
Pediatric Burn Care at University Health
University Health is the only Level I trauma center in South Texas to treat adults and children. Level I means it is the best of its kind, offering comprehensive, specialized care you can’t find at other hospitals in the area.
Our pediatric Level I trauma center includes our pediatric burn program , which offers world-class burn care close to home.
Injury Prevention at University Health
Learn more about the engaging programs and workshops offered by our Injury Prevention Department , which covers topics such as burn prevention , gun safety and more.
Preventing injuries is one of the most powerful ways to protect your health. That’s why our team focuses on education and partnering with community organizations to help people recognize risks, build safer habits and feel confident keeping themselves and their loved ones safe.
