Woodstoves uncovered: a paediatric problem.
OBJECTIVE
To document and describe the effects of woodstove burns in children. To identify how these accidents occur so that a prevention strategy can be devised.


METHODS
Retrospective departmental database and case note review of all children with woodstove burns seen at the Burns Unit of a Tertiary Referral Children's Hospital between January 1997 and September 2001.


METHODS
Number and ages of children burned; circumstances of the accidents; injuries sustained; treatment required and long-term sequelae.


RESULTS
Eleven children, median age 1.0 year, sustained burns, usually to the hands, of varying thickness. Two children required skin grafting and five required scar therapy. Seven children intentionally placed their hands onto the outside of the stove. In all children, burns occurred despite adult supervision.


CONCLUSIONS
Woodstoves are a cause of burns in children. These injuries are associated with significant morbidity and financial costs. Through public education, woodstove burns can easily be prevented utilising simple safety measures.
Street
Jessica R
JR
The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
Wright
Joanna C E
JC
Choo
Kelvin L
KL
Fraser
John F
JF
Kimble
Roy M
RM
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017677:Age Distribution; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002053:Burn Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002056:Burns / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices