Two minor residents became the first patients to receive medical and surgical care in the new burn unit for child population in Monseñor Sanabria Hospital.
Randall Álvarez, director of the medical center, declared that the new service was important in order to assist both children instead of taking them to the National Children’s Hospital (HNN).
One of the victims was a 15-month child who fell into a pot of boiling water that had been placed on the floor to peel shrimp. He was already discharged as his condition evolved satisfactorily.
The other 7-year-old child was burned when hot fat fell all over his body when he was serving some food. He is currently receiving outpatient care in Buenos Aires hospital.
This service has 2 beds and is equipped to handle non-complex cases because complex cases will be transferred to HNN.
This is a service that counts on the technical support of experts from HNN: all staff has been trained by specialists.
Recommendations to reduce burn risks:
-Be careful at bathtime and always try to put hot water after cold water.
-Do not place pots with hot liquids on the floor.
-While hot water is poured over the bath, avoid having children around.
-Be very careful with long tablecloths, since the children can pull them and hot liquids like soups, coffee, chocolate, among others, may spill over them.
-Check the wires of appliances such as rice cookers, slow cookers, microwave, coffee makers, heaters among others: they cannot be hanging, as children can get entangled or pull them.
-The handles of pots, pans, griddles and other kitchen utensils should always be inward.
-It is preferable to cook in the kitchen rear burners when there are children nearby.
-When the oven is on, children cannot enter the kitchen.
The use of babywalkers should be avoided because they generate many accidents, especially in the kitchen.
-Do not iron on your bed.