Burns and scalds In 'Burns and Identity' Burns and Identity The data the fourth highest cause of hospital admissions for the under-fives the injuries can be disabling and disfiguring and are expensive to treat hot drinks cause the majority of the injuries - admissions peak at age 12 to 23 months. Drinks can still burn after 15 minutes. hot bathwater causes the most serious injuries 21% of admissions from bathwater scalds are for more than three days other significant causes of burns/scalds are hot water on cookers, kettles, radiators and pipes and hair straighteners the risks change as the child develops eg. reach extends What to do education plus fitting a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) is the most effective approach for preventing bathwater scalds children who are taught kitchen safety behaviour are significantly less likely to attend hospital from a scald Antenatal, new birth and at 9 month health review consider getting a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) fitted to regulate bathwater temperature put cold water in first when running a bath and check the temperature before bathing a baby don't leave another child in bath to care for baby keep hot drinks well out of reach of babies keep the baby away from cookers, kettles etc be aware that scalding risks increase when babies are able to climb (especially in kitchen) 2 to 2 1/2 year universal health review teach children kitchen safety rules about hot things, not climbing and what to do/not do when adults are cooking keep toddlers away from hot drinks, cookers, kettles, barbecues etc.