Burn and scald prevention outreach materials

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Burn Awareness Week

Burn Awareness Week, observed the first full week in February, is designed to provide an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to unite in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities. Burn Awareness Week, celebrated early in the year, is an excellent opportunity to “kick off” a year full of burn awareness education.

Download the American Burn Association’s Scald Injury Prevention Guide for Educators, PowerPoint Presentations (English, Spanish)

Outreach materials and messages from the U.S. Fire Administration

Public service announcements and messages

Prevent scalds and burns

Additional Video Formats, Transcript »

Use the back burners when you cook, if possible, and/or turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge. This will prevent spills from overturned pots and pans containing hot food or liquids.
All appliance cords need to be kept coiled and away from counter edges.
Use oven mitts or potholders when moving hot food from ovens, microwave ovens or stovetops. Never use wet oven mitts or potholders as they can cause scald burns.
Replace old or worn oven mitts.
Open heated food containers slowly, away from the face to avoid steam burns. Hot steam escaping from the container or food can cause burns.
Foods heat unevenly in microwave ovens. Stir and test before eating.

Protect children from scalds and burns

Additional Video Formats, Transcript »

Keep young children at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from any place where hot food or drink is being prepared or carried.
Keep hot foods and liquids away from table and counter edges.
Never hold a child while cooking, drinking or carrying hot foods or liquids.
Teach children that hot things burn.
When children are old enough, teach them to cook safely. Supervise them closely.

Fire Prevention and Public Education Exchange

The Exchange serves as a centralized location for national, state and local fire prevention and life safety practices and public education materials that organizations may wish to share with other communities. Visit the Exchange.

More information on burn prevention

Educational program: preventing cooking fires and related injuries
NFPA Educational Messages Desk Reference – these messages provide fire and life safety educators with accurate and consistent language for use when offering safety information to the public.
Statistical reports: cooking fires