We all want to keep our children safe and secure and help them live to their full potential. Knowing how to prevent leading causes of child injury, like burns, is a step toward this goal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, every day, over 300 children ages 0 - 19 are treated in emergency rooms for burn-related injuries and two children die as a result of being burned. The American Burn Association reports that more than 73% of burn injuries occur in the home.

Younger children are more likely to sustain injuries from scald burns that are caused by hot liquids or steam, while older children are more likely to sustain injuries from flame burns that are caused by direct contact with fire.

Thankfully, there are ways you can help protect children from burns. To prevent burns from fires and scalding:

- Be “alarmed”: Install and maintain smoke alarms in your home — on every floor and near all rooms family members sleep in. Test your smoke alarms once a month to make sure they are working properly.

- Have an escape plan: Create and practice a family fire escape plan, and involve kids in the planning. Make sure everyone knows at least two ways out of every room and identify a central meeting place outside.

- Cook with care: Use safe cooking practices, such as never leaving food unattended on the stove. Also, supervise or restrict children’s use of stoves, ovens, and especially microwaves.

- Check water heater temperature: Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) or lower. Infants and small children may not be able to get away from water that may be too hot, and maintaining a constant thermostat setting can help control the water temperature throughout your home — preventing it from getting too high. Test the water at the tap if possible.

In recognition of National Burn Awareness Week, please take a moment to learn how to keep your family safe as you balance work and play within the home.