Burns

If your child gets burnt, cool the area quickly under cold or cool water for 20 minutes. Wrap the burn or scald loosely in clean cloth (eg a pillow case).

Call your doctor for all burns. For severe burns call 111.

The recommended temperature for household hot water at the tap is no more than 50°C.

As your baby starts to roll and move they can get into dangerous areas. When your baby is around 3 months of age, they will start to reach out and grab things. Even little babies can sometimes move suddenly and spill your hot drink on them.

Older children become able to turn on taps and climb to reach the stove. They can also poke sharp objects in power sockets. You can teach older children simple safety messages — for example, how to recognise the hot and cold taps by colour and to turn on only the cold tap, and what to do in a fire.

Children have been killed in car and house fires they have started themselves with lighters and matches. Children often quickly learn how child-resistant lighters work; they are safer but they are not child-proof.

Protect your child from hot water burns

• Discuss with Plunket staff or a plumber how to check the water temperature.
• Ask an electrician to lower the temperature of your hot-water cylinder.
• If you have a wetback, you will need to have a temperature-control valve installed at your hot-water cylinder.
• Run the cold water into the bath first, then the hot.
• Check the bath temperature before putting your child in by testing the water with the inside of your wrist - the water should feel warm, not hot.

Protect your child from hot drink & hot food burns

Never eat, drink or carry anything hot while holding your baby, instead put your baby down while you enjoy a hot drink. Keep hot drinks out of reach and hot liquids away from the table or bench edge. Use tablemats rather than a tablecloth that can be pulled off the table.

Protect your child from fires & electricity burns

Keep heaters and fireplaces behind a guard that is secured to the wall and put safety plugs in electric power points. Also keep multi-plugs out of reach and use safety plugs in each socket. Keep cords of electric jugs and irons out of reach and keep pot handles turned away from the front of the stove. When possible use back elements and use an oven safety catch. Don’t leave chairs beside the bench or stove. Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach.

Dress your child in snug (close) fitting nightwear. Install smoke detectors. Have an escape plan on how to leave the house in case of fire and practise this with all the family.

For help and advice call PlunketLine 0800 933 922, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If your child is sick please call Healthline, 0800 611 116, New Zealand's 24-hour telephone health advice service. All calls are answered by registered nurses.

In an emergency phone 111.