State Fire Marshal’s Office issues burn prevention safety tips

OLYMPIA — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging Washington residents to take precautions to prevent burn and scald injuries, particularly among children, older adults, and people with disabilities.

Burn injuries can result from more than just fire. Hot liquids, steam, electricity, and certain chemicals are also common causes, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that scald burns are the second leading cause of all burn injuries and are the most common among young children ages four and under. A scald is a burn caused by close contact with hot liquid or steam, and young children are especially vulnerable because they are naturally curious and may not recognize the danger.

To reduce the risk of burns and scalds, the State Fire Marshal’s Office recommends the following safety measures:

• Teach children that hot things can burn.

• Install anti-scald devices on tub faucets and shower heads, and supervise young children during use.

• Set faucet water temperatures to less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Place hot liquids and food in the center of a table or toward the back of the counter.

• Create a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around stoves and areas where hot food or drink is prepared.

• Allow microwaved food to cool before eating, and open containers slowly and away from the face.

• Avoid holding a child while cooking, drinking a hot liquid, or carrying anything hot.

• Never heat a baby bottle in a microwave oven; instead, warm bottles in faucet water or a tested bottle warmer.

• When using a humidifier or vaporizer, select a cool-mist model instead of a hot-steam option.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is a bureau of the Washington State Patrol that provides fire and life safety services statewide. These services include inspections of state-licensed facilities, school construction plan reviews, fire sprinkler contractor and pyrotechnic operator licensing, firefighter training, and emergency response data collection.

For more information, the public can contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 596-3904 or email fpbpio@wsp.wa.gov.