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HealthInfo Canterbury

Preventing burns

Burns are common, especially in children. Maybe you are reading this because you or your child has had a burn. The key is to learn from a burn to help prevent another one, as it could be even more serious next time.

Younger children are mostly burned by scalds from hot liquids or objects.Their skin is very thin and they can get serious burns very easily. Older children and adults are mostly burned by flames or explosions.

No one can watch their child every second. But there are easy changes you can make around the home, or to your habits (such as where you put down your cup of tea) that could help to prevent you and your children getting burned.

Tips to avoid burns

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On the next page: Self-care for burns

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by Plastic Surgery Department, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed May 2021.

Sources

See also:

Sun-smart Behaviour for advice on preventing sunburn

Page reference: 101212

Review key: HIBUR-30143