Burns and Electric Shock

Children are curious about everything and like to figure out the nature of everything. They usually touch everything or pull objects and items that they cannot easily reach toward themselves. It is this curiosity of theirs that always exposes them to dangers. Children carefully watch their elders and like to imitate these actions. For example, when you plug a hairdryer into the electrical outlet or are ironing clothes, they carefully memorize your action in their minds and, at a suitable opportunity, try to do the same things. They do not know that doing these things is dangerous and may harm them.

∴ Make the following items and objects appropriately safe or keep them out of children's reach:

• switches and electrical outlets near the bathtub • kettle and teapot containing boiling water or hot tea • heaters and heating appliances • iron • reading lamp or night light • matches and lighters • uncovered outlets

∴ Observe the following to prevent electric shock and burns to your child:

• Cover the electrical outlets with a suitable cover. Children may insert metal objects such as nails, knitting needles, etc., into the electrical outlets and suffer an electric shock. • Replace old and worn electrical wires whose insulating cover has been destroyed. Such wires can pose a risk of electric shock for children. • Fasten the wires firmly to the wall using clamps and two-prong nails so that they do not hang and are not within children's reach. • Keep the electric heater or other heating appliances out of children's reach. • Do not leave your child alone while they have access to an electrical wire. • Do not use electrical appliances such as a hairdryer or shaver while bathing. Do not turn them on when the bathroom is full of steam and moisture, or when you are standing on a wet floor, and also before drying your hands. • After ironing clothes, place the hot iron in a suitable spot where there is no possibility of children dropping or touching it. • When cooking, use the back burners of the stove. Place the handles of pots in a way that children cannot grab them. • Do not place matches and lighters within children's reach. • Do not place a cup containing hot drinks within reach. Do not lift your child while you are holding a cup of tea in your hand. First place the cup of tea in a suitable spot and then take your child in your arms. • Before placing your child in the bathtub, lower the water-heater temperature. Children's skin burns much sooner than adults' skin. For greater safety, set the water-heater temperature to the lowest possible heat.