Burn injuries in the home can be prevented.

In the kitchen:

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.  Stay nearby at all times when cooking, even with microwave ovens.
• Keep children and pets away from cooking food.
• Wear clothes with tight-fitting sleeves, or roll your sleeves up to reduce the risk of your clothing catching fire.
• Turn pot handles inward.  Never leave them sticking out where they could be bumped or grabbed by a small child.
• Don't leave spoons or other utensils in pots while cooking.
• Turn burners and ovens off when they're not in use.
• Keep plenty of sturdy oven mitts or pot holders near your cooking area.  Using a wet pot holder can result in a severe steam burn.
• Do not toss wet foods into deep-fat fryers or frying pans containing hot grease or oil.  The reaction between the fat and water will splatter hot oil.
• Remove the lids from pots of cooking liquids carefully to prevent steam burns.
• Remember, steam is hotter that boiling water.
• If a pan or food catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner.  It is dangerous to attempt to carry the pan to the sink.
• In microwave ovens, use only containers designed for microwave use.  Let microwave-cooked foods or liquids cool before carefully removing their covers.
• If you turn microwave foods during their cooking cycle, remember that the oven may be cool but the containers and food are very hot.

Hot Water:

• Adjust your water-heater's thermostat to no more than 120F to prevent scalds.
• Always turn on the cold water faucet first, the add hot.

Child Safety:

• Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach- up high.
• Do not allow children to play near woodstove or fireplaces fires or around working space heaters.
• Cover unused wall outlets with safety caps and replace all damaged, frayed, or brittle electrical cords.
• Do not leave hot irons unattended.
• Do not leave barbecue grills unattended, and supervise children's cookout activities, such as toasting marshmallows.
• Test bath water by carefully circulating hand and lower arm through it before putting children in the bathtub.  Provide constant supervision while bathing children.

Types and Degrees of Burns:

• Flame burns are caused by direct contact with the fire.
• Radiation burns are caused by close exposure to fire or high heat.
• Scalds are caused by hot liquids or steam
• Contact burns are the result of touching hot objects.
• Chemical burns are caused by contact with corrosive chemicals, such as battery acid.
• Electrical burns are caused by contact with live electrical wires.
• Ultraviolet burns are caused by over exposure to the sun or to sun lamps.

Symptoms and Treatment:

First Degree Burn-   Minor burn the heals quickly.  Symptoms include reddened skin, tender and sore.

Second Degree Burn-   More serious and require immediate first aid and professional medical treatment.  Symptoms include blistered skin, very painful.