Coquitlam Fire/Rescue wants to encourage everyone to be aware of simple steps to prevent scald burns during National Burn Awareness Week.
COQUITLAM, B.C., January 29, 2025 – National Burn Awareness Week is Sunday, February 2, to Saturday, February 8, and Coquitlam Fire/Rescue wants to encourage everyone to be aware of simple steps to prevent burns.
Hot liquids from bath water, hot coffee and even microwaved soup can cause devastating scald burn injuries, and they continue to be the second leading cause of all burn injuries, although they are preventable. Please take these precautions to prevent such injuries.
- When turning taps on from a two-handled faucet, turn cold water on first, and then add hot water and adjust the temperature so that it is not too hot. Reverse this order when turning the water off.
- Before placing a child in a bath or getting in the bath yourself, test the water by moving your hand, wrist and forearm through the water - it should feel warm, not hot.
- Always supervise a child in or near a bathtub.
- Have a kid-free zone of at least 1 metre around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
- Never hold a child while you are cooking, drinking a hot liquid, or carrying hot foods or liquids.
- Choose prepackaged soups whose containers have a wide base to avoid the possibility of a spill, and carefully pour the soup into a traditional bowl after heating.
- Open microwaved food slowly, away from the face and allow it to cool before eating.
- Never heat a baby bottle in a microwave oven – heat them in warm water from the faucet.
Burn Treatment
Treat a burn right away and gently with cool water for 3–5 minutes. Cover with a smooth-textured, clean, dry cloth and seek medical attention if required.
Visit coquitlam.ca/SeasonalSafety for more information and tips on how you can prevent injury and fire in your home.
Media contact
Denise Ziebart
Fire Inspector
604-927-6400
FirePrevention@coquitlam.ca