How to Avoid Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are one of the most common and preventable types of burns. Sunburns, burns from stove tops, steam, curling irons and hair dryers are all types of thermal burns. You can avoid thermal burns by following a few precautionary measures such as applying sunscreen at recommended intervals when skin is exposed to the sun or using heat-resistant oven mitts when cooking.

Things You'll Need

• Sunscreen, SPF 30 or greater
• Oven mitts

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Instructions

Sunburns

• 1

  Read the sunscreen label for directions regarding application method and recommendations for reapplication.

• 2

  Apply sunscreen to your skin in the manner recommended on the bottle such as misting or spraying it on your skin and rubbing it in. Apply sunscreen to any skin that will be exposed to the sun, including your face, neck, etc.

• 3

  Reapply sunscreen every two hours during prolonged sun exposure, or as directed on the label.

Kitchen Burns

• 4

  Put on heat-resistant oven mitts before handling any hot pots, pans or other cookware.

• 5

  Rotate all pots and pans while cooking so their handles face the center of the stove to avoid accidentally bumping and overturning them.

• 6

  Use the rear burners whenever possible if there are small children in the home to prevent them from reaching up onto the stove and burning themselves on the burners or overturning hot cookware on themselves.

Bathroom Burns

• 7

  Unplug any bathroom appliance as soon as you are finished using it, such as hair dryers and curling irons. Do not operate these devices within reach of children.

• 8

  Store bathroom appliances out of reach of children once they have cooled down.

• 9

  Set your water heater at or below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding from hot water. Do not allow children to operate faucets or fill bathtubs without adult supervision.