Children's surgeon warned Chelyabinsk about the dangers of hot batteries for babies

With the beginning of the heating season, another source of danger for young children appears in homes - hot batteries and pipes. Contact with them can result in deep burns. Mikhail Pogorelov, Head of the Department of Purulent Surgery of the CSSCB, told what situations most often lead to injuries and what to do if a child is burned.

The doctor explained that most burns in babies are associated with normal household situations. The child can overturn a mug of hot tea, reach for a kettle or touch a hot stove.

The age of about 10–11 months is especially dangerous. Children begin to move actively, try to get up, grab the surrounding objects. However, they do not yet realize that a hot surface can cause serious injury.

A separate problem is heating devices. According to the expert, in private homes, the temperature of batteries sometimes reaches 70-80 degrees. If the bed is close to the radiator, the baby may be sandwiched between them and not be able to get out on their own. In the practice of the surgeon there were cases when children remained pressed to the hot battery for 15-20 minutes. The consequences of such incidents are extremely severe - third and fourth degree burns. The danger exists in ordinary apartment buildings, especially after the heating is turned on.

Children’s skin is much thinner than adult skin. Therefore, even a short exposure to high temperature can cause deep tissue damage. Severe pain can lead to shock.

The effects do not always end after the wound has healed. At the site of burns, rough scars can form. Sometimes they cause contractures - restrictions on the mobility of the hands and feet. Noticeable scars cause psychological distress as the child grows up.

With a serious burn, Mikhail Pogorelov advises to act without delay. The damaged area should be cooled with water and seek medical attention. In case of serious injury, call an ambulance.

The doctor also recommends not to put baby beds next to batteries, cover hot radiators with protective screens and remove boiling water where the child can not reach.