Hot Tap Water and Scald Burns

• Consider installing "anti-scald" devices on tub faucets and shower heads to prevent accidental scalds.

Scalds in the Kitchen

Burns associated with microwave ovens are increasing. Most of these injuries involve scalds to the hands. While such burns occur at all ages, over 50% of those injured are under 5. Typically, children burn themselves when taking food or liquids from the microwave.

Microwave ovens are frequently perceived as less dangerous and risky than conventional heating methods. Many people do not fully appreciate or understand how microwaves heat food. the fact that a food container may not be hot may mislead someone to assume that the food itself is not really hot, and a burn injury results.

Most burns associated with microwave ovens are preventable.

• Read and follow the directions for the operation of the microwave oven. The specific directions associated with heating prepared or packaged food are equally important to follow.
• Be careful when removing coverings or lids from microwaved foods. Puncture plastic wrap before heating foods in the microwave.
• Remember... the fillings in jelly doughnuts and other foods may become very hot, even though the outer portion remains only warm to the touch.
• Stir foods to distribute the heat. Many microwave ovens have a tendency to heat from the outside edge toward the middle. This can produce very hot food on the edge and cold food in the middle.

Extreme caution should be exercised when heating baby bottles or baby food. The amount of food/liquid to be heated, the starting temperature of the food/liquid (refrigerator or room temperature), and the specific microwave energy setting you select will all influence the final temperature. Small amounts of room-temperature food/liquids will require less heating time and lower energy settings to reach a safe temperature.

Heating baby formula in a microwave is a dangerous practice and could result in a scald to the baby's mouth or throat. Even though a bottle might not feel warm to the touch after it has been microwaved briefly, there may be hot spots within the formula. Hot spots are places where the microwaves have reached first or more efficiently, producing uneven heating.

• Follow microwave guidelines on baby formulas, baby food jars, plastic bottles and plastic bottle liners. Remember, not all foods can be heated in a microwave oven.
• Baby-sitters, grandparents and other caregivers should be instructed in using your microwave oven before they prepare food or drinks for young children.
• Be sure children are old enough to understand the safe use of the microwave oven before allowing them to heat foods. Children still need adult supervision and help to follow product directions. Children should be tall enough to reach the oven and handle foods safely.

Scalds and Microwave Ovens

As a child's mobility and curiosity increase, appropriate supervision becomes essential. Control a young child's activity while he/she is in the kitchen and when food is being prepared. Highchairs, feeding tables, playpens, etc. can control children and allow supervision during daily kitchen activities.

• Keep children out of the "traffic path" and check their location before moving any hot liquids in the kitchen. Keep all hot liquids at a safe distance from children.
• Take time to fix meals without rushing.
• Keep pot handles turned toward the back of the stove. Cook on rear burners when possible.
• Use a "fill-through-the-spout" teapot, the kind without a lid and with a whistle in the spout, to prevent "spilled water" scalds in the kitchen.
• Test all heated liquid and food before giving it to a child or placing it within his reach.
• Remove tablecloths when toddlers are present in the home. They tug and pull on everything within reach. Hot liquids can easily be pulled down on them.
• Never hold a child while drinking a hot liquid.
• Be sure to inform babysitters about kitchen and appliance safety and teach them to prevent burn injuries when preparing meals.
• Purchase appliances with short cords, and keep all cords from dangling over the edge of counters, e.g. slow cookers, coffee pots, fat fryers, and anything else that might contain hot liquids.
• Periodically check all handles on appliances and cooking utensils to ensure the handles are tightly fastened and will afford proper heat protection.
• Use caution when moving heavy pots of hot liquids from the stove.
• Consider marking a "No-Zone" in front of the kitchen stove. Teach children to remain out of this zone. This can be done with colored tape on the floor.
• Children should not be allowed to use a cooking/heating appliance until they are mature enough to understand safe-use procedures and tall enough to safely reach cooking surfaces and handle hot items.
• Avoid using area rugs in the kitchen, especially near the stove. They can cause falls and scalds.

12 Halloween Safety Tips for Little Ghosts and Goblins

Because they can obstruct a child's vision, masks are not recommended. If a child wears makeup, parents should look for non-toxic, hypoallergenic kits.

Costumes should be flame-retardant and fit properly. Avoid oversized shoes, high heels and long skirts or pants that could cause a child to fall.

Children who will be trick-or-treating after dusk should have reflective tape on their costumes and carry flashlights.

Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers, then parents can do the cutting. Under parents' supervision, children ages 5 to 10 can carve with pumpkin cutters equipped with safety bars.

Votive candles are safest for candlelit pumpkins.

Lighted pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects and should never be left unattended.

Sweet Treats

Children shouldn't snack while they're trick-or-treating. Parents should check treats at home.

Watch for signs of tampering, such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packages.

Parents of young children should get rid of choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys.

To keep their home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.

Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.

Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.

Please feel free to excerpt these tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story dealing with Halloween safety.