Children will be children, so childhood injuries are a common occurrence. Unfortunately, serious burn injuries are one of the most frequent accidents among children. The main cause of burn injuries among children is due to hot liquids, such as bathwater or a hot beverage spilling on the child. Burning is generally an accident that occurs at home, so what do you do about a baby burned at daycare? First, it’s important to understand that daycare responsibilities for babies and children that are injured only extend as far as the staff is able to prevent foreseeable harm. So, in order to prove negligence on the part of the daycare, you will need to show that the daycare facility failed to provide the due care in order to prevent the foreseeable burn or other injuries to your baby. It’s important to know the most common causes of burns to babies, the types of burns, and the steps to take if your baby is burned while at daycare.
Common Causes of Burns
The daycare should have the proper supervision for children, including a certain number of adult supervisors to an appropriate ratio of children. Children require the full attention of the person in charge of their care. With that said, burns can occur from a variety of causes; however, in many situations, they can be prevented when they are being properly supervised. Here are some of the most common causes of burns that children and babies may encounter while at daycare:
- Thermal burns-These types of burns are generally caused by steam, hot foods, hot bath water, tipped over hot liquids, or hot cooking fluids.
- Chemical burns-These types of burns are caused by swallowing a strong acid, such as button batteries or drain cleaner, or from spilling chemicals, such as bleach on the eyes or skin.
- Radiation burns-These types of burns are caused by exposure to the sun (sunburn), especially when the skin isn’t protected while in the sun or they may occur from radiation, such as when you are getting an x-ray.
- Electrical burns-These types of burns are caused when the skin comes in contact with an electrical current, such as sticking fingers or an object into an electrical outlet or biting on an electrical cord.
Types of Burns
A burn is classified by the depth and size of the burn. The type of burn also determines the best treatment for the injury. There are three primary types of burns:
- First-degree (superficial) burns only injure the top layer of skin, for example, sunburn is considered a superficial burn. The symptoms of a first-degree burn often include slight swelling, pain, and redness. This type of burn doesn’t blister and heals on its own with home treatments.
- Second-degree (partial thickness) burns will cause damage to the outer layer of skin as well as the layer underneath. A second-degree burn will cause the skin to become swollen, red with blisters and they are painful. A second-degree burn generally doesn’t leave scarring, but the healing process may take longer than a first-degree burn.
- Third-degree (full thickness) burns are the most severe and the deepest type of burns. A third-degree burn damages all layers of the skin and may also damage sweat glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings. When a third-degree burn occurs the skin will generally appear charred, waxy-white, or leathery brown. In some situations, a third-degree burn may not immediately feel painful because of the damage to the nerve endings. This type of burn requires specialized medical care, including possible surgery and skin grafting.
Steps to Take When a Baby is Burned at Daycare
The daycare should notify you immediately about a baby burned at daycare. It’s important to ask how the burn occurred, what type of burn it is, and if 9-1-1 has been called. Although most burns can be treated at home, some, especially on a baby’s delicate skin, require immediate medical attention. For a large second-degree or a third-degree burn, it is critical that you have the daycare call 9-1-1, especially if the burn was the result of a fire at the facility, if your baby is unconscious, having trouble breathing or if there are other signs of a life-threatening emergency resulting from the burn. If the burn causes blisters on the feet, face, hands, or scalp, is an electrical burn, a burn from chemicals, or a burn that is causing severe pain, it’s important that emergency care be sought immediately. If it is a first-degree burn, contact your medical provider for recommendations on how you should proceed, including how the daycare should treat the burn until you arrive.
Keep in mind that electrical burns and chemical burns may not always be visible, but they can lead to extremely serious damage to the internal organs. The symptoms of these types of burns vary, depending on the cause. If your baby sustained serious burn injuries while at daycare and you believe the burns were the result of the negligence of the daycare staff, other children in their care, or visitors to the daycare, contact your personal injury attorney to discuss what steps you should take for a baby burned at daycare.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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