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Fire and Burn Prevention for Toddlers

 

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toddler girl looking down

 

 

Fires and injuries caused by burns are often preventable.

Here are some tips to help keep your toddler safe at home:


  • Keep children away from kitchen appliances, irons, fireplaces, portable heaters and wall heaters. Use screens to block off areas, if needed. Outdoors, keep your child away from barbecue grills and campfires.

  • Children younger than age five are most often burned by hot liquids (scalding). To reduce the risk, install scald-resistant faucets in sinks, showers and bathtubs. These fixtures have built-in thermostats to control the maximum water temperature. Set the thermostat to keep the water temperature below 49°C (120°F).

  • Use kitchen range dial protectors, which prevent a child from turning on the stove’s heating elements.

  • Cook with pot handles turned away from the edge of the stove and on the back burner when possible, out of the reach of children.

  • Be careful not to spill hot beverages when carrying or drinking them around children.

  • Keep children away from matches and lighters. Make sure your toddler has a smoke free home. If you choose to smoke, smoke outdoors and make sure cigarettes are extinguished and disposed of safely.

Smoke Detectors and Alarms:

  • Check your home smoke detectors or alarms every month. Press the test button to make sure the batteries are working. If the detector is wired into the electrical system, this will test if the alarm itself is working.
  • Replace the batteries in your home smoke detector or alarm – the best time is when you change your clocks for daylight savings. If you have extended life batteries, check the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them.
Last Updated: August 10, 2013