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Objective To assess risk factors for paediatric burn injuries in the Czech Republic and to suggest preventive measures. Methods This study included all children aged 0-16 years hospitalized during 1993-2000 at the Prague Burn Centre and data from the Czech Ministry of Health on national paediatric burn hospitalizations during 1996-2006. Personal, equipment and environmental risk factors were identified from hospital records. Findings The incidence of burn admissions among 0-14 year-olds increased from 85 to 96 per 100 000 between 1996 and 2006, mainly due to a 13% increase among 1-4 year-olds. Between 1993-2000 and 2006, the proportion of burn victims in the country hospitalized at the Prague Burn Centre increased from 9% to 21%. Detailed data were available on 1064 children (64% boys). Around 31% of all burn hospitalizations were in 1 year-olds. Some 79% of burns occurred at home: 70% in the kitchen, 14% in the living room or bedroom and 11% in the bathroom. Of the 18% occurring outdoors, 80% involved boys. Scalds from hot liquids accounted for 70% of all burns. The mean hospital stay was 22 days for boys and 18 days for girls. Conclusion Most burns involved scalds from hot liquids at home: beverages in kitchens and water in bathrooms. There is a need for passive preventive measures, such as redesigned domestic cooking and eating areas, safer electrical kettles and temperature control devices for bathrooms. Educational programmes should be developed for parents and caregivers. A national plan for child burn prevention with specific targets would be helpful. Objectif Evaluer les facteurs de risque de brulures pediatriques dans la Republique tcheque et suggerer des mesures preventives. Methodes Cette etude a porte sur l'ensemble des enfants de 0 a 16 ans hospitalises entre 1993 et 2000 au Centre des grands brules de Prague et a utilise les donnees du Ministere tcheque de la Sante sur les hospitalisations pour brulure pediatrique de 1996 a 2006. Les facteurs de risque humains, materiels et environnementaux ont ete identifies d'apres les registres hospitaliers. Resultats L'incidence des admissions pour brulure chez les enfants de 0 a 14 ans est passee de 85 a 96 pour 100 000 entre 1996 et 2006, en raison principalement de l'accroissement de 13% de cette incidence dans la tranche d'ages 1-4 ans. Entre la periode 1993-2000 et 2006, la proportion d'enfants brules dans le pays hospitalisees au Centre des grands brules de Prague a augmente de 9 a 21%. On disposait de donnees detaillees pour 1064 enfants (dont 64 % de garcons). Environ 31% des hospitalisations pour brulures concernaient des enfants d'un an. Pres de 79% des brulures s'etaient produites au domicile des enfants : 70% dans la cuisine, 14% dans la salle de sejour ou une chambre et 11% dans la sane de bain. Sur los 18% de brulures intervenant a l'exterieur, 80% touchaient des garcons. Les enfants ebouillantes par des liquides chauds representaient 70% de l'ensemble des cas de brulures. Le sejour moyen a l'hopital etait de 22 jours pour les garcons et de 18 jours pour les filles. Conclusion Dans la plupart des cas de brulures, l'enfant avait ete ebouillante par un liquide chaud a son domicile : par une boisson a la cuisine et par de l'eau a la salle de bain. Des mesures de prevention passive s'imposent, comme le reamenagement des zones servant la cuisine et a l'alimentation domestiques et comme l'utilisation de bouilloires electriques plus sures et de dispositifs de controle de la temperature dans les salles de bains. Des programmes d'education doivent etre developpes a l'intention des parents et des personnes s'occupant des enfants. Un plan national pour la prevention des brulures chez l'enfant, avec des objectifs precis, serait utile. Objetivo Investigar-los factores de riesgo de quemaduras en ninos de la Republica Checa y proponer medidas preventivas. Metodos En el presente estudio se incluyeron todos los ninos de 0 a 16 anos hospitalizados entre 1993 y 2000 en el Centro de Quemados de Praga. Asimismo, se analizaron los datos del Ministerio de Salud de la Republica Checa sobre las hospitalizaciones por quemaduras registradas en el pals durante el periodo 1996-2006. Los factores de riesgo personales, ambientales y relacionados con el equipo se identificaron a partir de los registros hospitalarios. Resultados La incidencia de ingresos por quemaduras en ninos de 0 a 14 anos aumento de 85 a 96 por 100 000 entre 1996 y 2006, sobre todo debido a un aumento del 13% entre los ninos de 1 a 4 anos. Entre 1993-2000 y 2006, la proporcion de quemados de todo el pals ingresados en el Centro de Quemados de Praga aumento del 9% al 21%. Se obtuvieron datos detallados sobre 1064 ninos (el 64% de ellos del sexo masculino). Aproximadamente un 31% de todas las hospitalizaciones por quemaduras se registraron ten ninos de 1 ano. Aproximadamente un 79% de las quemaduras se produjeron en casa: el 70% en la cocina, el 14% en el salon o la habitacion, y el 11% en el bano. Del 18% de las quemaduras que se produjeron fuera de casa, el 80% afecto al sexo masculino. Las escaldaduras con liquidos calientes supusieron el 70% de la totalidad de las quemaduras. La duracion media de la estancia en el hospital fue de 22 dias en los ninos y de 18 dias en las ninas. Conclusion La mayoria de las quemaduras consisten en escaldaduras con liquidos calientes que se producen en casa: bebidas en la cocina y agua en el cuarto de bano. Son necesarias medidas preventivas pasivas, tales como la modificacion del diseno de las zonas de la casa para cocinar y comer, una mayor seguridad de las teteras electricas y dispositivos de control de la temperatura del agua en los cuartos de bano. Asimismo, deben elaborarse programas de educacion para padres y cuidadores. Seria util disponer de un plan nacional de prevencion de las quemaduras infantiles que tuviera metas concretas., Introduction A severe nonfatal burn is one of the most devastating injuries a person can survive, and such injuries impose a substantial medical, social, economic and personal burden on society [...]

Strategies for preventing injuries are presented. Falls in the elderly can be prevented by the elimination of hazards in the home and exercise. Calcium, vitamin D and hormone replacement therapy can reduce the risk of fractures. Warning labels can lower the risk of accidental poisoning and smoke detectors the risk of fire. Fencing and swimming lessons may lower a child's risk of drowning in a pool. Gun control and safe storage of guns can prevent injuries from firearms. Injuries can result in death, serious disability and extensive costs, especially when time lost from work is considered.

The rate of fire-related injuries dropped significantly in a section of Oklahoma City after volunteers gave free smoke detectors to residents of an inner city area. This 24-square-mile area in the center of the city accounted for 45% of fire-related injuries even though only 16% of the population lived there. A survey revealed that 11,881 homes in the area did not have a smoke detector. A total of 10,100 smoke detectors were distributed to these homes and in the fours years that followed, the rate of fire-related injuries in the area fell 80%.

The article discusses the results of a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of emergency department visit data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) for 2001 to 2006 on scald-related burns. The findings highlight the need for effective scald prevention programs, especially among the elderly population.

Hot tap water causes 7 to 17 percent of scald burns in children that require hospitalization. More death and disability is due to tap water burns than to burns by other hot fluids. In 1983, a law was passed in Washington state requiring new home water heaters to be preset at 49 degrees Centigrade (C) or 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of hot tap water was set higher than 54 degrees C in 80 percent of homes in 1977 and under that temperature in over three fourths of homes in 1988. Furthermore, the average temperature of hot tap water of 61 degrees C in 1977 decreased to 50 degrees C by 1988. There were 18 cases of tap water burns at two medical centers in Washington between July 1979 and May 1988, resulting in a rate of hospital admission of 2.4 each year, as compared with 5.5 each year in the 1970s. Legislation to prevent tap water burns resulted in a decrease in the average total body surface area burned, death rate, grafting, the formation of scars, and duration of hospital stay. However, the percentage of cases of child abuse involving scald burns increased by 50 percent between 1977 and 1988. Thus, legislation and educational programs have helped to promote safe water temperatures and prevent the incidence, death, and disability associated with tap water burns. Furthermore, consumers accepted the reduction of tap water temperatures. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)