The child had been burned in a building served by steam radiators that had not yet been repaired. An evaluation of this intervention is planned. Unprotected radiators and their pipes were directly related to injury risk for the children in this report. Steam radiator systems are found primarily in older buildings. The buildings served by steam radiators in the housing project in this report were constructed during the late 1950s, and the buildings served by hot water radiators were built during the 1960s.
Temperature is a critical factor in thermal injury.
Contact with temperatures in the range of steam radiators can cause an instantaneous full-thickness burn of adult human skin. Children's skin is probably more susceptible than that of adults to thermal injury. In comparison, hot water radiators operate at a lower temperature than steam radiators and present a lower risk for thermal injury. Risks for burns from home radiators can be reduced by keeping the unit covered and the pipes insulated. In addition, beds, couches, and chairs should be kept at a safe distance from radiators to avoid contact burn injury.