Scald injuries affect all ages. Young children and the elderly are most vulnerable. This is why the American Burn Association and the Wilton Fire Department, in conjunction with Burn Awareness Week (Feb. 1-7) want to provide you with information on scald injury prevention.
Annually in the United States and Canada, more than 500,000 people receive medical treatment for burn injuries. Roughly half of these injuries are scalds. Locally, the Connecticut Burn Center treats more than 1,000 burn and scald injuries each year.
Most burns occur in the home, usually in the kitchen or bathroom. Scalds can be prevented through increased awareness of scald hazards and by making simple environmental or behavioral changes. These include providing a “kid-safe” zone while preparing and serving hot foods and beverages, and lowering the water heater thermostat to deliver water at a temperature not to exceed 120 degrees.
For more information about preventing scalds, contact the Wilton Fire Department at 203-834-6249.
—from the Wilton Fire Department