Types Of Burns

Critical skin burns or scalding injuries can occur to the hands and face from simply over-heating a cup in a microwave oven. It is possible to over-heat a cup of water (beyond the boiling point) without it looking like it is boiling. Hot water burns ensue when water is heated in a fresh cup. The hazard of overheating is significantly decreased when coffee or sugar are mixed into the water before heating. If water doesn’t appear to be overheated via boiling, lifting the cup out of the microwave or adding instant coffee can cause the water to blast out of the cup.

How Do I Avoid Over-Heating Water?

• Always adhere to the instructions and heating instructions provided by the microwave oven’s manufacturer
• Do not allow liquids to heat for unnecessary lengths of time
• Establish the optimal time and heat setting for heating liquids in the microwave oven and use the two sets habitually

Scald Burn

Scalds are caused by wet heat, while burns are caused by dry heat. Most scalds can be remedied on your own; however, some will require medical attention as they can be life-endangering. Any scald or burn injury exceeding three inches or affecting more than one limb or location of the body needs instant medical care. The two high-risk demographics are children younger than five and adults older than sixty-five. Constant supervision of young children is the key to averting a scald burn injury. Improved understanding is a fundamental factor to scald avoidance.

Safety Precautions & Statistics

Precautions

• Use back burners and turn handles in to avoid snagging them with your body or clothes, spilling the hot contents on yourself, child, or pet
• Never cook with loose, long-sleeved clothing, especially with an open flame
• Always roll up long-sleeves if short sleeves aren’t an option
• Never walk away from cooking food
• Open microwaves, grills, and ovens slowly to avoid burning your face
• Let food cool off before eating
• Have a path unobstructed of objects and children before moving hot liquids
• When dining with young children, place hot foods in the center of the table and try not to use tablecloths to keep children from pulling on them, spilling hot food onto themselves or someone else
• Do not allow children in the kitchen while cooking
• Never hold a child while maneuvering a hot liquid
• Clean spills promptly and your oven frequently as accumulated grease is flammable
• Keep the kitchen free of untidiness
• Keep the water heater at or below 120 degrees Fahrenheit
• Use safety valves to limit hot water exposure in the tub/shower
• Always supervise young children in the bathroom
• Always check the bathwater temperature before bathing an infant, toddler, or young child

Statistics

• Scalds are the most significant source of burn injuries in young children and elderly adults
• Hot liquids can produce first, second, and third degree burns contingent upon the temperature and duration of contact or exposure
• Liquids at 155 degrees Fahrenheit can produce a third-degree burn in one second
• The chance of a scald injury can be drastically decreased by setting your water heater to 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit