Watch out for the heat!
"Paulinchen was home alone ..." - many of you know the fate of the girl from Struwwelpeter. Here are our tips for preventing and treating burns and scalds so that your children are spared this.
The most important aspect first: two thirds of all burns and scalding accidents can be prevented - if the right protective measures are taken. It's the same as with water/drinking. A child up to a certain age must not be left alone near fire, hot objects and similar sources of danger. This is because children often act irrationally: with a lightning-fast unexpected movement, the baby knocks over the coffee cup. Or a toddler can just walk and leans with one hand on the hot Swedish stove, around which there is no grate.
So, thoroughly inspect the child's entire environment - always asking: Where are the dangers lurking? Any examples? Do not leave any kettle cables hanging down. Don't use tablecloths that the child could hang on to and tip cups with hot contents onto themselves, etc.
If, despite all precautions and prevention, something does happen, the first thing to do is to cool the affected area - with water that is not too cold. We recommend this: Cool with 20 to 25 degree warm water for five to ten minutes. This relieves the pain a little. It is also advisable to give the child something to relieve the pain. Because burns hurt like hell. Then you have to see how large the injured area is. Even a ten per cent scalded or burnt area (this corresponds to ten times the child's palm with all fingers) is medically classified as an emergency because it can lead to circulatory problems etc. and the child may even need to be hospitalised.
It is important that you have the wounds looked at freshly in a doctor's surgery so that they can be treated appropriately. And please, please: DO NOT put anything on the wounds. There are still stories about so-called home remedies such as toothpaste, powder, yoghurt etc. Only cool water please - and special burn plasters if available. Otherwise, simply leave the wound open and seek medical treatment quickly.
Fortunately, if this is done, the vast majority of burns and scalds are easy to treat and usually heal quickly.
You can find more information on this topic at paulinchen.de.
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