As Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital marks 70 years of caring for children across the province and country, the hospital is calling on parents, caregivers, and communities to strengthen burn prevention at home amid consistently high numbers of serious, yet largely preventable, childhood burn injuries.
According to a statement issued by the hospital, hundreds of paediatric burn cases are treated each year, ranging from scalds caused by hot liquids to flame burns, electrical injuries, and contact burns. Most of these injuries occur in the home and disproportionately affect children under the age of five.
One former patient who benefited from the hospital’s specialised Burns Unit is William Baartman. Severely burned at the age of four, Mr Baartman became a patient at the hospital in 1977.
After receiving treatment, he went on to live a full and active life. Today, he volunteers in the Burns Unit, offering reassurance and hope to children and families facing similar experiences.
Head of the Burns Unit at the children's hospital, Dr Tomé Mendes, said burn injuries remain one of the most common and devastating forms of preventable trauma seen in young children.
“Children’s skin is thinner and more vulnerable, which means even brief exposure to heat can result in serious injuries,” he said.
Plastic surgeon at the children's hospital, Dr Destiny Links, added that children’s vulnerability means burns can become severe very quickly.
“Because children’s skin is significantly thinner than that of adults, heat penetrates more deeply and more rapidly. Even brief exposure can result in life-altering injury,” she said.
According to ChildSafe data collected over several decades, most paediatric burns occur during routine daily activities in familiar household spaces, particularly kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. Common risks include hot liquids, unattended cooking areas, kettles and pots within reach, open flames, paraffin stoves, and electrical appliances.
Hospital clinicians frequently encounter severe scald injuries linked to everyday caregiving routines, particularly during bath time. Dr Links said one of the most common and preventable scenarios involves bath basins.
“Parents may fill a basin with hot water first and step away briefly to fetch cold water. In that short time, a toddler can climb into the basin. These basins are often placed on the floor, and the resulting injuries can be catastrophic,” she said.
Dr Links stressed that preventing burns does not require expensive interventions, but instead greater awareness.
“The small choices caregivers make every day can prevent injuries that change a child’s life forever,” she said.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to:
- Keep hot liquids, cords, and appliances out of children’s reach
- Never leave children unattended near cooking or heating areas
- Turn pot handles inward when cooking
- Prepare baths by adding cold water first, then hot water
- Always test bath water temperature before use
- Store matches, lighters, and candles safely and out of reach
Dr Links said prevention remains the most effective form of protection.
“Protecting children begins at home. With stronger prevention, correct first aid and early medical care, we can reduce the number of children who need our burns service — and that is always our goal,” she said.
For more information, contact the children's hospital on 021 658 5111 or visit ChildSafe.
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