The most common causes of product-related thermal burn injuries among children ages 14 and under are hair curlers, curling irons, room heaters, ovens and ranges, irons, gasoline, and fireworks. Most scald burns to children, especially small children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, are caused by hot foods or liquids spilled in the kitchen, or other areas where food is prepared and served. Another one-third of these children are too young to react appropriately. Deadly residential fires are most likely to start in a living or sleeping area. Residential fires and related deaths occur more often during cold-weather months, December through February, due to portable or area heating equipment.
Most child play home fires begin in a bedroom or living room where children are left unattended.
Most tap water scald burns occur in the bathroom, and tend to cover larger portions of the body more severely. Approximately 58 percent of all fireworks-related injuries are burns that usually occur to the hands, head, and eyes. Electrical cords and extension cords cause almost two-thirds of electrical burn injuries to children ages 12 and under. Most microwave scald burns occur to the trunk or the face. Homes without working smoke alarms are more than twice as likely to have a fire.