Burns and Scalds

Burns and scalds are common among the 0-4 age group and speed is of the essence if your baby or toddler accidentally spills a hot drink. It can still scald up to 15 minutes after being made. Visit the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website.

Treat any scald or burn straight after the accident (see below) but always take your child to hospital for anything more than a very small scald or burn as a child's skin is extra delicate and could be scarred without the right treatment.

What to do

• Remove any hot clothing that is not stuck to the skin and hold the affected area under cold, running water for at least 10 minutes to reduce the heat in the skin
• Cover the scald or burn with a clean, non-fluffy cloth that has been soaked in cold water to protect the damaged area and cut down the risk of infection
• Don't apply fatty substances like butter or ointment as this won't do any good and will only waste time for hospital staff who'll have to clean the area before it can be treated