Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Understanding the Risks for Toddlers

Burns and scalds are a common injury among young children, but many can be prevented with simple safety steps. Toddlers are naturally curious and mobile, which puts them at risk from hot liquids, surfaces, and flames. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that burns can come from sunburn, hot water or other hot liquids, fire, electrical contact, and chemicals, and all can cause permanent injury and scarring. This guide focuses on practical measures you can take to reduce the risk of burns and scalds in your home, based on advice from the AAP, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Key points: Set your water heater to 120°F or lower, keep hot items away from edges, and never carry a child while cooking. Supervise closely and have a fire escape plan.

Water Temperature and Bath Safety

Scalds from tap water are a significant risk. The CPSC advises that to prevent burns, the temperature on your water heater can be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Safe Kids Worldwide also recommends setting your water heater to a maximum temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The AAP’s burn prevention tips similarly state that you should adjust your water heater so the hottest temperature at the faucet is no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scald burns.

Before placing your child in the bath, check the water temperature. Safe Kids Worldwide says to check the bathwater temperature with the inside of your wrist, just as you would with baby’s milk; the water should feel warm, not hot. The CPSC also suggests using anti-scald devices for faucets and shower heads to further reduce the risk. When bathing a toddler, place them in the bath facing away from the water faucet so they are not tempted to touch the hot faucet or turn on the hot water, as recommended by Safe Kids Worldwide. For more on creating a safer bathroom, see our Bathroom Safety guide.

Kitchen Safety: Hot Liquids and Foods

The kitchen is a high-risk area for burns. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends creating a kid-free zone, teaching younger children to stay at least 3 feet away from your cooking space. If you need to watch babies while cooking, place them in a highchair outside of the kid-free zone where you can see them. The AAP also warns against carrying your baby and hot liquids like coffee, tea, or soup at the same time, and advises not to hold or cradle your baby near hot liquids on the stove or tabletops, as even a small splash could scald.

When cooking, use the back burners of the stove and turn pot handles away from the edge, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. Keep hot foods and liquids away from the edge of your counters and tables. The Safe Kids home safety tips also stress not carrying a child while cooking on the stove; it’s better to put your child in a high chair where you can still see them. For a deeper look at kitchen hazards, visit our Kitchen Safety page.

Hot Appliances and Cords

Appliances that produce heat can stay hot long after use. Safe Kids Worldwide advises to unplug and safely store irons, flatirons, and other appliances after use, as they can become very hot and take a long time to cool down. Do not leave these appliances unattended when in use. The Safe Kids home safety tips also say to keep an eye on appliances such as irons, curling irons, or hair dryers that can heat up quickly or stay warm, and to keep appliance cords out of children’s reach, especially if the appliances produce a lot of heat. The AAP’s general home safety tips remind caregivers to keep electrical cords out of reach and sight.

Fireplaces, Heaters, and Open Flames

Heating sources need careful screening. The AAP states that fireplaces, woodstoves, and kerosene heaters should be screened so your child can’t get near them. Gas fireplaces with glass doors get extremely hot, stay hot long after the fireplace is turned off, and can cause severe burns when touched. Safe Kids Worldwide specifically recommends making sure your gas fireplace has a safety screen or safety gate to keep children away from the hot glass. If you need a safety screen, Safe Kids suggests contacting the fireplace manufacturer or retailer.

Check electric baseboard heaters, radiators, and even vents from hot-air furnaces to see how hot they get when the heat is on; they may need to be screened, according to the AAP. Also, store matches, cigarette lighters, and candles out of your child’s reach. Safe Kids Worldwide says to keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn, and blow them out when you leave the room or before you go to sleep. The AAP adds that lit candles should not be in areas easily reachable by a child. For broader hazard prevention, see our Everyday Hazard Prevention section.

Microwave Safety

Microwaves can heat food unevenly, creating hot spots that can burn a child’s mouth. The AAP’s childproofing tips for grandparents note that microwaves can heat liquids and solids unevenly, and food may be mildly warm on the outside but very hot on the inside. Safe Kids Worldwide advises against using microwaves to heat baby milk or formula; instead, heat bottles by placing them in warm water and check the temperature using the inside of your wrist. The AAP also recommends stirring microwaved food well or letting it stand for two minutes so the heat can distribute evenly, and making sure young children cannot reach the microwave.

Smoke Alarms and Fire Escape Planning

Working smoke alarms are essential. The CPSC says to use smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Check smoke alarms once a month to make sure they’re working, and change batteries at least once a year, or consider using sealed, 10-year batteries. The AAP also recommends installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home, at least one on every level and outside bedrooms, and checking them monthly. Safe Kids Worldwide’s home safety tips advise installing smoke alarms on every level, especially near sleeping areas, and testing batteries every six months.

Have a fire escape plan. The AAP says to develop a fire escape plan and practice it. Safe Kids Worldwide recommends creating and practicing a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room, and once out, stay out. Teach children to stop, drop, and roll if their clothing catches fire, as the AAP suggests. For more on safety equipment, see our Inspection and Maintenance guide.

Burn First Aid and When to Get Medical Help

If a burn occurs, immediate care matters. The AAP’s burn treatment guidance says to soak the burn in cool water as quickly as possible; run cool water over the burn long enough to cool the area and relieve the pain. Cool any smoldering clothing by soaking with water, then remove clothing from the burned area unless it is stuck firmly to the skin—in that case, cut away as much clothing as possible. If the injured area is not oozing, cover the burn with a sterile gauze pad or a clean, dry cloth. If oozing, cover lightly with sterile gauze if available and immediately seek medical attention. If sterile gauze is not available, cover burns with a clean sheet or towel.

Do not use ice on a burn, as it may delay healing. Do not rub a burn, which can increase blistering. Do not put butter, grease, mustard, or powder on a burn; these home remedies can make the injury worse. For anything more serious than a superficial burn, or if redness and pain continue for more than a few hours, contact your pediatrician. All electrical burns and burns of the hands, mouth, or genitals should get immediate medical attention. If chemicals caused the burn, call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or your pediatrician after washing off all the chemicals.

Watch for signs of infection when treating a burn at home: any increase in redness or swelling, or the development of a bad odor or discharge, requires medical attention. Hospitalization may be needed if burns are third degree, if 10% or more of the body is burned, if the burn involves the face, hands, feet, or genitals, involves a moving joint, or goes completely around part of the body, or if the child is very young or fussy and too difficult to treat at home, according to the AAP.

Quick Safety Checklist

Use this list to review your home for burn risks:

  • Water heater set to 120°F or lower (CPSC, Safe Kids, AAP).
  • Bathwater checked with wrist before bathing (Safe Kids).
  • Kid-free zone of at least 3 feet around cooking areas (Safe Kids).
  • Pot handles turned inward, back burners used (Safe Kids).
  • Hot foods and liquids kept away from counter and table edges (Safe Kids).
  • No carrying a child while handling hot items (Safe Kids, AAP).
  • Irons, curling irons, and similar appliances unplugged and stored after use (Safe Kids).
  • Appliance cords out of reach (Safe Kids, AAP).
  • Fireplaces and heaters screened; gas fireplace glass guarded (AAP, Safe Kids).
  • Matches, lighters, and candles stored out of reach (AAP, Safe Kids).
  • Microwave out of children’s reach; food stirred and allowed to stand (AAP).
  • Smoke alarms on every level, tested monthly (CPSC, AAP).
  • Fire escape plan practiced (AAP, Safe Kids).
  • First aid supplies accessible; Poison Help number (1-800-222-1222) saved (AAP).

For a room-by-room approach to toddler safety, read our article on Preventing Common Toddler Injuries at Home.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should my water heater be set to for toddler safety?

Both the CPSC and Safe Kids Worldwide recommend setting your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent scald burns. The AAP also advises that the hottest temperature at the faucet should be no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

What should I do immediately if my toddler gets a burn?

According to the AAP, soak the burn in cool water as quickly as possible, running cool water over it long enough to cool the area and relieve pain. Remove clothing unless stuck, and cover with a sterile gauze pad or clean cloth. Do not apply ice, butter, or greasy substances. Seek medical help for anything more than a superficial burn, or if redness and pain persist for more than a few hours.

How can I keep my toddler safe around the stove?

Safe Kids Worldwide suggests creating a kid-free zone of at least 3 feet around the cooking area, using back burners, turning pot handles away from the edge, and never carrying a child while cooking. Place your child in a high chair where you can see them if you need to watch them while cooking.

For more detailed information on preventing burns and scalds, visit our Burns and Hot Surfaces category page.

Sources

Lauren Holland

About Lauren Holland

Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our childproofing guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.