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It shouldn’t be hard
to understand why young children are especially at risk of burn injury in
general, and scald injury in particular.
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Young children are
curious by nature and they learn a lot by imitating adults, often just trying
to be helpful. This may involve reaching for pots on the stove or turning on
bathtub faucets.
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They’ll do this
without realizing that hot foods and liquids or hot tap water can be
dangerous.
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Because they are
less mobile, they react less quickly if they do come into contact with hot substances and objects.
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And because they
have thinner skin than older children and adults, they suffer burn injury at
a lower temperature and with a shorter exposure.
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(Bridge) Older
adults are also vulnerable to scald injury. Are the reasons the same, or different?
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