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Prevention

Avoid a Contact Burn

A contact burn happens when skin touches a hot surface or object, like pavement, cookware, or tools. These burns can be severe, especially for young children. Learn how to protect yourself, your family, and even your pets. 


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Everyday Prevention Tips

Supervise and Create Safe Spaces

  • Always supervise children around hot objects. 

  • Stand at least 3 feet away from hot outdoor equipment like grills and keep the area free of trip hazards. 

  • Limit alcohol use when cooking or grilling to stay alert. 

Protect from Hot Surfaces

  • Remember: pavement can reach 125°F even on a mild 77°F day — wear shoes on hot pavement or sand. 

  • Keep pets off hot surfaces too. 

  • Turn off heating pads and electric blankets before sleeping. 

Use Tools Safely

  • Have hot pads or long oven mitts ready when cooking; assume pots, pans, and dishes are hot. 

  • Treat items from the microwave as carefully as you would items from the oven. Limit microwave use by children. 

  • Unplug tools (like curling irons or soldering irons) when done, keep them out of children’s reach, and treat them as hot even after turning off. 

Why Contact Burns Matter

  • Contact burns happen when skin touches something hot — like a pan, pavement, or appliance. 

  • They account for 7–9% of all reported burns. 

  • In 2018, about 70,000 people visited the emergency department for contact burns. 

  • Around one-third of these patients were children under age 5. 

  • For young children, contact burns cause about 20% of burn injuries that require hospitalization. 

By the Numbers

  • Average contact burn size is usually small (under 3% total body surface area) but can still lead to long hospital stays, ongoing wound care, and physical therapy. 

  • About 40% of patients with contact burns need surgery, especially when burns affect areas important for movement and function. 

Disclaimer and Usage 

© 2025 American Burn Association. All rights reserved.

The materials on this page, ameriburn.org/prevention/burn-prevention-fact-sheets/contact-burns, are the property of the American Burn Association (ABA) and are protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. These fact sheets may be reproduced, shared, and distributed without charge for non-commercial, educational purposes. Co-branding with your organization's name or logo is permitted; however, the ABA logo may not be removed, altered, or replaced without prior written permission from the American Burn Association.

These materials are provided for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The ABA assumes no responsibility for any injury or damage.

References

  • Pegg SP. Burn epidemiology in the Brisbane and Queensland Area. Burns. 2005;31:S27–31. Link 

  • National Safe Kids Campaign. Burn Injury: Burn Facts. Link 

  • National Safe Kids Campaign. Toddler: why kids are at risk. Link 

  • Alden NE, et al. Contact Burns: Is Further Prevention Necessary? Journal of Burn Care & Research. 2006;27(4):472–475. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.BCR.0000226102.43343.0A