CT SAFE KIDS - Burn Injury Fact Sheet

BURN INJURY FACT SHEET
Burns have long been recognized as among the most painful and devastating injuries human beings can sustain and survive. Burns often require long periods of rehabilitation, multiple skin grafts, painful physical therapy and residual disfigurement, leaving victims with lifelong physical and psychological trauma. Children ages 4 and under are at greater risk from burn-related death and injury. Because young children have thinner skin than that of older children and adults, their skin burns at lower temperatures and more deeply. Children may not perceive danger, have less control of their environment, may lack the ability to escape a life-threatening burn situation, and may not be able to tolerate the physical stress of a post-burn injury.
Scald burns (caused by hot liquids or steam) and contact burns (caused by touching hot objects) are the most common types of burn-related injury among young children. Flame burns (caused by direct contact with fire) are more prevalent among older children. However, children are also at risk from electrical burns, chemical burns and sunburns.

National Facts

Deaths and Injuries Deaths and Injuries

In 2001, more than 500 children age 14 and under died and 40,000 were injured in residential fires. Of these,

40 children were under 1 year old

226 children were aged 1-4 years

153 children were aged 5-9 years

101 children were aged 10-14 years

In 2001, nearly 4,500 children visited the emergency room due to residential fire injures. Of these,

1,555 children were aged 0-4 years

1,135 children were aged 5-9 years

1,765 children were aged 10-14 years

It is estimated that flames and burns are responsible for one-fourth of all fire-related deaths and injuries.

Approximately 75,000 children ages 14 and under are treated in hospital emergency rooms for thermal burn-related injuries, including flames and contact burns. Children age 14 and under account for nearly half of all emergency room treated thermal burns.

An average of 16 children ages 14 and under die and nearly 31,500 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms for scald burn-related injuries each year. Children ages 4 and under account for nearly all of these deaths and the majority of these injuries.

Children ages 4 and under are especially at risk for scald and contact burns and are at the greatest risk for fire related deaths.
Where and How?
Among children ages 14 and under, hair curlers and curling irons, room heaters, ovens and ranges, irons, and fireworks are the most common causes of product-related thermal burn injuries.

Burns account for approximately two-thirds of all fireworks-related injuries, and primarily occur to the hands, eyes and face.

The majority of scald burns to children, especially among children ages 6 months to 2 years, are from hot foods and liquids spilled in the kitchen or other places where food is prepared and served.

Hot tap water accounts for nearly one-fourth of all scaled burns among children and is associated with more fatalities and hospitalizations than other hot liquid burns. These burns most often occur in the bathroom, and tend to be more severe and cover a larger portion of the body.

The majority of microwave burns among children are scald burns. Microwave burns are typically caused by the spilling of hot liquids or food, and injuries primarily associated with the trunk or the face.

Low voltage, oral contact with household appliance electrical cords and extension cords cause the majority of electrical burn injuries among young children. Older children tend to suffer electrical burn injuries from higher voltage sources during outdoor, risk-taking behaviors such as climbing trees or power and telephone poles.

Risk Factors

Young children ages 4 and under, primarily children ages 6 months to 2 years, and children with disabilities are at the greatest risk from burn-related death and injury. These children are especially at risk from scald and contact burns.

Male children are at higher risk of burn-related death and injury than female children.

The leading cause of fire related death for children ages 5 and under is child play fires.

Burn injury rates are higher among low-income children.

Children in homes without smoke detectors are at greater risk from fires and fire-related death and injury.

Males and children ages 10 to 14 are at the highest risk of fireworks-related injuries. However, two-thirds of sparkler-related injuries occur among children ages 5 and under.

In general, children in single-parent families, children in large families and children in high-stress family situations are at greater risk for scald burns and suffer more scald burn injuries than other children.

More than 43% of residential fire deaths among children ages 9 and under occur when the child is attempting to escape because he/she is unable to act or is acting irrationally.

Burn Prevention Effectiveness

During the past two decades, significant declines in the incidence of burn injury have been made. This progress coincides with increased national attention to burn prevention, establishment of burn treatment centers, widespread use of smoke detectors, burn prevention education, and regulation of consumer product safety. Smoke detectors are extremely effective at preventing fire-related death and injury. The chances of dying in a residential fire are cut in half when a smoke detector is present. The combination of smoke detectors and sprinkler systems could reduce fire-related deaths by 82% and injuries by 46%. More than 75% of all scald burn-related injuries among infants could be prevented through behavioral and environmental modifications. Hot tap water scalds can be prevented by lowering the setting on water heater thermostats to 120 degrees or below, and by installing anti-scald devices in bathtub faucets and showerheads.
Burn Protection Laws

Currently, 42 states have laws that require smoke detectors to be used in both new and existing dwellings.

In 1994, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a mandatory safety standard requiring disposable and novelty cigarette lighters to be child-resistant. Since this standard has been in effect, the number of child-playing fires has declined 14% and the number of deaths and injuries associated with these fires has declined 27% and 13%, respectively.

Many communities have established local ordinances or building codes, for any new construction, which require the installation of plumbing devices that keep water temperatures at or below 120 degrees, and prevent sudden changes in water temperature.

Legislation requiring new home water heaters to be preset at 120 degrees has been effective at reducing the number of scald burn deaths and injuries associated with hot tap water.

Health Care Costs And Savings

The total annual cost of burn-related deaths and injuries among children ages 14 and under is approximately $10.4 billion. Children ages 4 and under account for more than $7.1 billion, or 70%, of these costs.

A total charge for pediatric admissions to burn centers average $22,700 per case.

Prevention Tips

Never leave a child alone, especially in a bathroom or in the kitchen. If you must leave the room, take the child with you.

Install smoke detectors in your home on every level and in every bedroom. Test them once a month, replace the batteries at least once a year, and replace the detectors every ten years.

Set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less. The lower the temperature, the lower the risk of sustaining scald burn-related injuries.

Consider installing anti-scald devices in bathtub faucets and showerheads.

Keep matches, gasoline, lighters and all other flammable materials locked away and out of reach of children.

Use back burners and turn pot handles to the back of the stove when cooking. Keep appliance cords out of children’s reach, especially if the appliances contain hot liquids. Cover unused electrical outlets with safety devices.

Never carry children and hot foods and/or liquids at the same time. Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges.

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