Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
betterhealth.vic.gov.au Department of Health
  • Keep hot drinks and pot handles out of reach of children.
  • Never leave children alone in the bathroom or kitchen. 
  • If a child is burned, apply immediate first aid by placing the burn under cool running water for a minimum of 20 minutes. 
  • Dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance if the injury is severe. 
  • Do not use butter, oils, ointments or ice to treat burns as these can further damage the skin.
  • The best way to prevent scalds in the bathroom is to reduce the delivery temperature of the hot tap water at the basin, bath and shower to 50ºC. By law, all new hot water systems now have this setting. 
  • The recommended bathing temperature for young children is 37 to 38ºC.

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Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.

Reviewed on: 08-07-2019