102 HAWAII PARENT March/April 2024 are the leading cause of fire-related deaths in children. Every day children go to a hospital emergency room to be treated for burns, so caregivers be vigilant when it comes to fire risks in the home, particularly around smokers. Alternative heating sources and lack of proper supervision are two of the most frequently cited reasons for childhood burns. Younger children’s natural curiosity combined with their lack of danger awareness help explain why they are more likely to be burned by hot liquids or steam. Caregivers must remain extra vigilant around fireplaces, open flames, hot stoves, ovens, or any other source of heat that a child can access. Malfunctioning smoke detectors are another reason why children suffer burns. 4. Poison Despite advances in poison prevention programs, unintentional poisoning continues to be a serious health threat. Not surprisingly, toddlers ingest hazardous chemicals more frequently than older kids, but luckily, most of these accidents result only in minor symptoms. Preventive steps like cabinet locks and poison control stickers may help when storing potentially harmful drugs. For preteens and teens, however, the story is a different one. This group is at greatest risk of dying due to accidental poisoning, particularly from prescription and non-prescription drugs. 5. Burns Smoking is the leading cause of residential fires, and residential fires, in turn, Preventive steps like cabinet locks may help when storing potentially harmful drugs. “Unintentional poisoning continues to be a serious health threat.”
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