February 6-12 is Burn Awareness Week. It’s a great time to make sure we are doing everything we can to keep our grandchild safe from accidental burns. #NBAW The summer my son turned one, we lived in an older apartment building in Northern Virginia. Reflecting our limited budget, it was pretty run down, and between the roaches and the broken air conditioner, it wasn’t the ideal place to raise a baby. We managed pretty well despite the challenges, until the day he showed us how cheap our appliances were. ![]() He was just starting to pull himself up on things, and one afternoon he tried to pull himself up on the oven while I was making dinner. The side of the oven door, which I’d never thought to touch, was searingly hot, and his little hand was badly burned. I will never forget the way he cried—the shrieks of pure pain that came from his little body. I felt like the worst mother in the world when we took him to the emergency room, but he bounced back quickly and healed without incident. Still, I was scarred for life! I am paranoid about children being near burn hazards. Children have no concept of what “hot” means—unless they learn it the hard way, as my son did. That’s why it’s so important for caregivers to be extra vigilant about potential burn hazards. Grandparents, this means making sure your home is safe whenever your grandchildren are there, even if they are being closely watched by adults. I can tell you from experience, a child can burn themselves even with their mother standing two feet away. Tips for keeping your grandchildren safe from accidental burns in the kitchen Keep hot food and liquids away from children.
Tips for keeping your grandchildren safe from accidental burns in the bathroom
Tips for keeping your grandchildren safe from accidental burns elsewhere in the house
Tips for keeping your grandchildren safe from accidental burns outside the house:
Following these tips should ensure your grandchild will never experience what my son did. However, if the worst happens, make sure you know what to do for a burn. Remove any wet clothing, and run cool water on the burned area for 20 minutes. Don’t use ice, butter, creams or lotions. If the burn is severe, seek medical advice after initial first aid is given. Find more valuable safety tips in the Baby Care and Safety section of New Grandparent Essentials, the best way for grandparents to be prepared for life's greatest adventure!
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