Age
|
Most common injury type
|
Risk factors
|
< 5 years
|
Flame
|
Playing with matches, cigarette lighters, fires in fireplaces, barbecue pits, and trash fires. Being around adults who play with matches or lighters.
|
< 5 years
|
Scald
|
The greatest number of pediatric burns involve infants and toddlers younger than 3 years of age burned by scalding liquids.
Kitchen injury from tipping scalding liquids from stoves or tables. Bathtub scalds are often connected with lack of supervision or child abuse. Mouth burns from baby bottles warmed in a microwave due to uneven heating and hot spots.
|
< 5 years
|
Electrical
|
Biting on electrical cord, which can cause bad, deep burns on sides of mouth. Or sticking forks or other metal objects into electrical outlets.
|
5 to 10 years
|
Flame
|
Male children are at an increased risk, often due to fire play and risk-taking behaviors. Seeing adults who model dangerous behavior also puts them at increased risk.
|
5 to 10 years
|
Scald
|
Female children are at increased risk, with most burns happening in the kitchen or bathroom.
|
Teen
|
Flame
|
Injury connected with male peer-group activities involving gasoline or other products that are easily set on fire and quickly burn (flammable).
|
Teen.
|
Electrical
|
Happens most often in male adolescents involved in dare-type behaviors, such as climbing utility poles or antennas. In rural areas, burns may be caused by moving irrigation pipes that touch an electrical source.
|