Childhood burns in camping and outdoor cooking accidents: a focus for prevention

J Burn Care Rehabil. 1997 Jul-Aug;18(4):369-71. doi: 10.1097/00004630-199707000-00018.

Abstract

We have seen increasing numbers of children who present with serious burns related to camping and outdoor cooking, prompting this 5-year review. Of 34 children (21 boys and 13 girls), with an average age of 5.2 years (4 months to 17 years) and average burn size of 15% (1% to 98%) cared for (4 as outpatients and 30 as inpatients), there was one fatality (3%). Mechanisms of injury included falling into free pits, throwing flammables into grills or pits, placing hands on hot objects in or near a fire, walking or falling into hot embers from an extinguished fire, spills from insect repellant candies, tent fires, burning of paper eating utensils, and cooking scalds. We have initiated a directed prevention program with the regional state park systems.

MeSH terms

  • Accident Prevention*
  • Adolescent
  • Burns / epidemiology*
  • Burns / etiology
  • Burns / prevention & control*
  • Camping*
  • Child
  • Child Welfare
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cooking*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies