Nearly half of severe burns and scalds occur in children under five years. About half of these accidents happen in the kitchen, with scalds from hot liquids being the most common.
Many accidents involve the child reaching up and pulling on a mug or cup of hot drink. Other common causes include children falling or climbing into a bath of very hot water, and accidents with kettles, teapots, coffee-pots, pans, irons, cookers, fires and heaters.
Most of these accidents are preventable.
Further information about preventing burns and scalds and general advice about fire safety is available from:
