Shriners Children’s Encourages Families to Keep Holiday Traditions Safe, Burn-free

BOSTON — With the holiday season approaching, kitchens and living rooms are not only popular for gatherings, but can also represent burn risks, especially in curious and eager-to-help children. Healthcare workers can see an increase in pediatric burn injuries during this season, and Shriners Children’s wants to highlight simple precautions parents can take to help ensure the holidays stay joyful and burn injury-free.

“Holiday traditions often center around cooking and sharing meals together, which often makes the kitchen the heart of the celebration,” said Debbie Carlson, pediatric nurse at Shriners Children’s Boston. “It’s wonderful to include children in those special moments, but close supervision and safety are key. Simple steps, like keeping little ones away from hot surfaces and involving them in age-appropriate tasks, can help keep everyone safe.”

In the kitchen, Carlson advises parents to create a ‘child-free zone’ of at least three feet around stoves and ovens, turn pot handles inward, and use the back burners on the stove. She also advises those cooking to never hold a child while using the stove or oven. Instead, she recommends that parents place infants in a high chair or secure playpen nearby.

“Cooking-related burn injuries in children are some of the most common injuries we see, but they’re also among the most preventable,” she said. “We most often see children with burns to their hands, which can require complex reconstruction. Burn scars don’t grow as children do, so there can be lasting complications and a lifetime of treatment required.”

Beyond the kitchen, Carlson notes that the glass front of gas fireplaces can be extremely hot, even after the fire has been turned off, and cause severe hand burns. These injuries occur when young children, often drawn to the flickering flames, touch the glass without realizing the danger. When visiting other homes for holiday gatherings, she encourages parents to be mindful of fireplaces and lit candles, and suggests using flameless or battery-operated candles for a safer glow when possible.

“Burn prevention has come a long way, but accidents can happen fast,” she said. “The best protection is supervision, preparation, and a healthy dose of caution in the home.”

If a burn does occur, Shriners Children’s shares some helpful treatment tips and reminders:

• Remove the child from the hot liquid or object immediately.

• Cool the affected area right away with cool or room-temperature water for up to 20 minutes. Never use ice.

• If it’s a burn to the body, put the child in the shower with cool or room-temperature water.

• Avoid home remedies like toothpaste, butter, or tomato sauce to treat burns.