Burn units raise concern over risk of burn incidents in toddlers

UK burn units have raised concern over the risk that electrical devices, such as straighteners, can pose to children.

Figures from the international burns injury database showed that five per cent of all admissions for children's burns last year involved hair straighteners.

Emma Apter from Electrical Safety First, said: "Parents have to juggle many tasks in the morning and while we don't want to add to that list, it is vital that hair straighteners are kept out of reach of small hands and feet.

"We are urging manufacturers to play their part in protecting consumers by providing safe storage for their products."

In addition, children are at greater risk to long term damage from burns because their skin can be upto 15 times thinner than that of adults.

Paul Fuller, of the Children's Burns Trust, warned: "A burn or scald at this age could need years of repeated surgery as the child grows, because scarred tissue does not grow with them."

The top ten most common reasons for children’s burns admissions in the UK include: tea cups; unrecorded; electric hobs; other hot fluids; coffee cups; hair straighteners; iron/clothes press; kettle spill; and radiators.