Microwaves a Menace for Young Kids

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And scald prevention programs should educate parents, caregivers and older children about the danger of hot foods and drinks causing serious burn injuries to young children, she said.

When a scald occurs, parents should immediately run cold water over the burn for at least five to 10 minutes, Lowell advised. "If they feel the burn is serious, then they should take their child to the emergency room," she said.

Dr. Karen Sheehan, medical director of Injury Prevention and Research at Children's Memorial Hospital, and medical director of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Chicago, believes parents need to be better educated about the dangers of microwave ovens.

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"Microwaves are often thought by parents to be safer to use than stoves," Sheehan said. "But this article demonstrates that microwave use can cause severe scald burns to children. It is critical that health-care providers provide counseling to parents about the potential burn hazard from using microwaves."

Dr. James G. Linakis, associate director of pediatric emergency medicine at Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, said the findings are consistent with his own experience.

"The majority of children we see in the emergency department with unintentional scalds are toddlers who have pulled down hot liquids from the stove or microwave onto themselves, and children who have been scalded by a hot liquid unintentionally spilled by an older child or adult," he said. "These burns are extremely painful, and in some cases leave children with significant scarring. Efforts to prevent these causes of scald burns have the potential to make a significant impact on this type of injury."

More information

For more on children's safety, visit the Safe Kids.

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