Safety Tip

Scald prevention document

A scald injury can happen at any age. Hot liquids from bath water, hot coffee and even microwaved soup can cause devastating injuries. Download our free safety tip sheet on scalds.

Scald preventionScald burns can be caused by any hot liquid, fluid, or vapor, including hot tap water, overheated beverages, steam, and hot oil.

Facts and figures

  • There were 58,400 scald non-fire burn injuries reported to hospital emergency rooms in 2007, down from 62,200 in 2006.
  • Scald burns accounted for almost one-third (32%) of all non-fire burn injuries reported to hospital emergency rooms in 2007.


Video: NFPA's Amy LeBeau talks about the importance of testing the temperature of bathwater before putting children into the tub.

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