Learn to prevent scalding burns

While it takes five minutes for an adult to get burned by 120-degree water, it can take only seconds for a child to get scalded at that same temperature.

Scald burns are just one of the dangers in the spotlight of this week's National Burn Awareness Week.

"Some of the most devastating burn injuries we see are scald burns to children," says Dr. Fred Mullins, medical director for the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta and president of the Joseph M. Still Burn Centers Inc. "A child's skin is much thinner than an adult's, so it takes much less time to burn, and those burns are often more severe."

Each year in the United States, fires and burns result in almost 4,000 deaths and more than 745,000 nonhospitalized injuries among all age groups, according to the American Burn Association.

Scalds account for 75 percent of the burns to children, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Of those, one in four is caused by hot tap or bath water.

"It is not just children, though," says Mullins. "The skin of elderly people is also much thinner than a normal adult. They are also very susceptible to scald burns."

Mullins adds that setting a hot water heater's thermostat to 120 degrees can help reduce scalds. And if there is no detailed thermostat, set the temperature level to "warm."

"Even if you adjust your thermostat, you should always check the temperature of the water," Mullins said.

Other tips to avoid scalds:

--Create a three-foot "safe zone" around appliances in the kitchen.

--Never leave any unattended items on the stove top, and make sure all handles are out of the reach of children.

--Never drink or carry hot liquids while carrying or holding a child.

--Keep all hot items away from the sides of the table.