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Parents and caregivers are being warned to be cautious with children around hot food and liquids this winter to prevent accidental burns injuries.

In 2024, more than 400 children across NSW sustained a scald burn from hot food or liquids and needed specialised care from the paediatric burns unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

The most common causes of injuries to children were accidental spills from hot drinks like tea and coffee, hot liquids from items like saucepans and kettles, and hot food like instant noodles. An additional 48 children sustained contact burns after touching a hot stove, cook top or BBQ.

Already this year, more than 120 children have needed care for these types of burns injuries.

With the increasing popularity of fire pits and outdoor fires, experts are asking parents to be vigilant around open flames. Children should be kept well away from fire locations, even after the fire has gone out, as the ground can remain hot for some time.

Children are at higher risk of severe burn injuries, with most occurring in children under two years of age. Children’s skin is thin and delicate, meaning it burns deeper, more quickly and at a lower temperature than adults.

“It’s crucial to remember hot food and drinks, which may feel safe for an adult, can cause serious burns to a child," Dr Torey Lawrence, Head of the Burns Unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, said.

“Burns injuries can cause both life-long injuries and life-long scarring. These can have a lasting impact on a child’s physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing.

The best way to prevent burns from hot food and drink in children is with close adult supervision.

“Young children are curious, and often little hands touch and grab at hot objects without realising the danger," Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said. 

“These accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, so we want to encourage everyone to take extra precautions around hot things and young children to reduce the risk of harm.�

Simple measures, like ensuring hot drinks and food are out of reach of children, setting household hot water to 50°C, draining hot liquid from food prior to consumption, and ensuring children eat at a table rather than eat in their laps can help reduce the risk of a burn injury.

Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW, Jeremy Fewtrell, said reducing this risk in the community is the prime motivation for Fire and Rescue NSW.

“Knowing how to prevent burns risks and first aid actions if a burn occurs can make all the difference to keeping our children safe."

If a child suffers a burn, immediate and correct first aid can reduce its severity:

• Cool the burn: Run cool water over the burn for 20 minutes. This is the only proven effective treatment.
• Remove: Take off any clothing or jewellery near the burn if possible.
• Don't use home remedies: Do not use ice, creams, gels, toothpaste, butter, or other substances.
• Seek medical help: If concerned, seek medical attention. In an emergency, call 000. For non-urgent medical assistance, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for expert advice. A registered nurse will help connect you to the right place so your child can receive the care they need.

“By sharing this personal ‘word of mouth� safety message with older kids, grandparents, cousins, friends and workmates, more people will instinctively know what to do if there is an accident and will be less likely to use at home remedies which can make the burn worse,� Executive Officer of KidSafe NSW, Christine Erskine, said.

For more information on burns prevention and first aid, visit the SCHN Kids Health Promotion website or Kidsafe NSW.

National Burns Awareness Month is aimed at raising awareness about burns injury prevention and burns first aid, with a goal to reduce the incidence of burns injuries.