My PSA-- turn down the hot water heaters!

[mykidslovesdisney]

My PSA for today-- turn down the hot water heaters. My dd7 has 2nd degree burns on her leg from the shower. She attempted to shut off the shower water - turned it from shower to sprout- BUT turned UP the water to full blast hot!!! She screamed - I looked behind the curtain and she is still standing in the water. I thougth she screamed bc the water was cold. She would occasionally run the cold water on herself after a shower. But not tonight. I asked her what was wrong and she said the water burned her. I grab a towel- soaked it in cold water and wrapped it around her knee. DS11 ran and grabbed the ice pack. She had a white line down the side of her knee - actually starts above the knee-- It was a blister starting to form. I called DH -(he's was on duty- police officer). He said just ice it. Poor dd was crying the whole time. I called the peds - the on call dr called back. Said that it was 2nd degree burn- suggested to sit her in a bath of cold water for 10-15 mins. then bacatrican on it and wrap it to keep it clean.

Poor DD had all to do to get in the cold tub! I got her to kneel in the water so it would cover the burn. She was such a trooper to brave the cold water. I got her all bandaged up. Good thing I got some Target brand ibruprofin. Gave her a dose to help with the pain. She really can't put any weight on her leg. Right now she is sleeping in our bed.

Tomorrow is field day at school and she is soo upset that she can't participate. I told her we will see how she feels in the morning. She does have to keep the area clean. I am switching her shorts to capris so it will cover the bandages. She was soo looking forward to the hurdles. I think I will hang out with her for the day and help out if needed. The ped also said to make sure she is drinking ALOT. even though it is a small burn she will loose alot of water.

DH will check the water heater in the morning. It is only a few years old - so he has to figure out how to lower the temp. Otherwise I will call a plumber to have them take care of the high temp.

I feel soo awful that she got soo hurt. It was such a long day. I didn't get her to sleep till almost 10 pm.

Praying tomorrow she isn't in any pain.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Sparx]

Ouch! I hope she feels better soon.

They make special shower heads that won't allow the water to be any hotter than a certain degree. You may want to buy one of these. It definitely sounds like your hot water is way too hot. My hot water heater has a sign posted on it saying that it should stay below 125 degrees (as that causes burns). You should definitely not need to call a plumber to change your temperature. I changed mine with a screw driver. It should have these big square plates (mine are blue) and they're screwed to the heater. You need to take these off. There are probably two. There is a dial, and you can turn it with a flat screwdriver. Set both dials to the same temperature. It should take a little while for the temperature to change, so be careful for another day or so.

 

[Scurvy]

Oh, poor baby. I hope she feels better soon. I agree with Sparx - it should be very easy to change the temperature as long as you have a screwdriver. I've changed it on a couple of ours over the years and it was no big deal.

 

[laurie31]

Keep giving her the ibuprofen and be very vigilant about watching for signs of infection. Head to the doctor if you suspect that it might be getting infected.

A good reminder about the water temp. A setting of 120 is plenty hot enough for the dishwasher and the washing machine, but it takes 10 minutes of expopsure to that temp to get a serious burn, while at 160, it takes less than one second. You don't have time to pull away before it's too late.


Also...I have to add my own PSA - it's not really good to put ice on a fresh burn. Keeping it under cool water for 15 minutes is the best thing to stop the burning.

I hope she feels better tomorrow. Do whatever you need to do to make sure she has access to Ibuprofen during school hours (fill out forms, etc).

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

Thanks - I am pretty sure DH can change the temp. The water came out of the sprout instead of the shower head. She is just learning how to start and stop the shower. My poor baby. She is still sleeping. I think I will still be in control of the shower controls for now.

 

[Sparx]

Thanks - I am pretty sure DH can change the temp. The water came out of the sprout instead of the shower head. She is just learning how to start and stop the shower. My poor baby. She is still sleeping. I think I will still be in control of the shower controls for now.

Was she standing in the shower when she turned the water on? It might be a good idea to tell her to start the water and THEN get in the shower.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

Keep giving her the ibuprofen and be very vigilant about watching for signs of infection. Head to the doctor if you suspect that it might be getting infected.


Also...I have to add my own PSA - it's not really good to put ice on a fresh burn. Keeping it under cool water for 15 minutes is the best thing to stop the burning.

I hope she feels better tomorrow. Do whatever you need to do to make sure she has access to Ibuprofen during school hours (fill out forms, etc).

thanks for the info on not using ice. It was my first run in with a burn- I was just thinking of keeping it cold. as for DH- he is first responder he should know better

I wasn't even thinking about the Ibuprofen for tomorrow. I was thinking bandages and water bottles and possibility of the stroller. I will put it in my bag with all the bandages that I planned on bring with me. I plan on being there for the day so I should be okay to give her it when needed. My 1st stop of the morning was going to be the school nurse.

Thanks for the great advice

 

[portocall]

Your poor DD. Sorry that happened

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

Was she standing in the shower when she turned the water on? It might be a good idea to tell her to start the water and THEN get in the shower.

No she was ending the shower. She moved the lever to that turns the water from the shower head to the sprout. Then instead of turning the water off she turned it in the direction of hotter. I didn't know she was going to attempt to shut it off on her own. I was in the bathroom with her - cleaning up the sink area. I taught them all to stand outside the shower to turn it on. On the other hand - dh stands in the shower when he turns it on.

We have been practicing turning the water handle for a while now. We practice at the pool and at home. But this was the first time she did it on her own w/o me knowing she was going to.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I hope she feels better and gets to do some things for field day.

 

[laurie31]

thanks for the info on not using ice. It was my first run in with a burn- I was just thinking of keeping it cold. as for DH- he is first responder he should know better

I wasn't even thinking about the Ibuprofen for tomorrow. I was thinking bandages and water bottles and possibility of the stroller. I will put it in my bag with all the bandages that I planned on bring with me. I plan on being there for the day so I should be okay to give her it when needed. My 1st stop of the morning was going to be the school nurse.

Thanks for the great advice

You're welcome! I'm so glad I didn't come off as condescending - that wasn't my intent at all! I almost didn't say anything, but I used to work in a burn unit and had a patient whose burn was made much worse because someone (a nurse at that!) put ice directly on the skin, thinking getting it colder faster was better.

New information comes out all the time. If your DH isn't required to take updated first aid courses then he woudn't have known.

But yes, she will still be in pain for awhile. It can take 10 to 21 days for a second degree burn to heal. I would give Ibuprofen to her around the clock, at least for the first 3 days. I wouldn't wake her for it, but don't let her go too long without it. It's easier to control pain if it doesn't build up, if that makes sense.

I think a stroller for Field Day tomorrow is a great idea, actually! Maybe there will be some things she can do. Poor thing!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

You're welcome! I'm so glad I didn't come off as condescending - that wasn't my intent at all! I almost didn't say anything, but I used to work in a burn unit and had a patient whose burn was made much worse because someone (a nurse at that!) put ice directly on the skin, thinking getting it colder faster was better.

New information comes out all the time. If your DH isn't required to take updated first aid courses then he woudn't have known.

But yes, she will still be in pain for awhile. It can take 10 to 21 days for a second degree burn to heal. I would give Ibuprofen to her around the clock, at least for the first 3 days. I wouldn't wake her for it, but don't let her go too long without it. It's easier to control pain if it doesn't build up, if that makes sense.

I think a stroller for Field Day tomorrow is a great idea, actually! Maybe there will be some things she can do. Poor thing!

Thank you again for more useful info. I am glad u said something about the ice. I wouldn't have known. I will definitely keep her on the Ibuprofen. Soo glad that I grabbed a target brand-- everything we had was recalled


I was trying to console her about tomorrow. She was upset that just her and another classmate were on the same team - that he would now be alone. and everyone would be mad that she wasnt' playing. She even said the PE teacher would make her run - that everyone has to run. I told her that we would let everyone know that she was hurt and can't run. that maybe the PE teacher could have her use the timer or wave a flag. There would be some type of job she could do - plus she could still cheer for her classmates too. I also reminded her that when she fell and hit her face on the sidewalk - all her classmates were very concerned about her being okay --nobody would be mad at her.

Definitely will bring my Mac- she still fits in it just fine. She won't be able to stand all day.

 

[*BTMRR*]

So sorry about your DD.

We moved into this house earlier this year and the water is HOT. I have been meaning to turn it down. I'm going to go and take care of that right this minute. Thank you so much for the reminder. I hope your DD will feel better soon.

 

[robinb]

{{hugs}} Your poor DD!

I am going to suggest against the stroller. No 7-year old would want their classmates to see them in a stroller. If she's too injured to stand and walk without a stroller then she's too injured to go to school. In that case, keep her home or she will be the butt of jokes for years to come.

 

[Cinderella94]

{{hugs}} Your poor DD!

I am going to suggest against the stroller. No 7-year old would want their classmates to see them in a stroller. If she's too injured to stand and walk without a stroller then she's too injured to go to school. In that case, keep her home or she will be the butt of jokes for years to come.

I was thinking the same thing about the embarrassment factor. That definitely wouldn't help!

I hope she feels better soon! Poor thing.

 

[Scurvy]

I am going to suggest against the stroller. No 7-year old would want their classmates to see them in a stroller.

You know, I was sort of thinking that as well. 7 year olds are in, what - second grade? The second graders here think of themselves as "big kids" and wouldn't want to be seen by their classmates in something associated with babies. I know some older kids are okay with strollers at WDW, but it's different when they are around their classmates. A child here who showed up to school in a stroller would get teased, I think. A wheelchair or even just carrying a folding chair to sit on would be okay, but I would be hesitant to put a child that age in a stroller at school. OP, you know the kids at that school and we don't, but I'd suggest really considering whether your daughter might get teased about it before you show up with a stroller. Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

You know, I was sort of thinking that as well. 7 year olds are in, what - second grade? The second graders here think of themselves as "big kids" and wouldn't want to be seen by their classmates in something associated with babies. I know some older kids are okay with strollers at WDW, but it's different when they are around their classmates. A child here who showed up to school in a stroller would get teased, I think. A wheelchair or even just carrying a folding chair to sit on would be okay, but I would be hesitant to put a child that age in a stroller at school. OP, you know the kids at that school and we don't, but I'd suggest really considering whether your daughter might get teased about it before you show up with a stroller. Good luck, whatever you decide.

On the other hand the kids could see the stroller as lots of fun pushing each other in it. Sometimes its just amazing what these kids think up.

OP bring a blanket for your dd to sit it. In fact bring a couple just in case 1 gets dirty. I have seen a lot of kids over the years that weren't able to participate. Find out if she can help run a game or just be a cheerleader for the day. I can't imagine the teachers would have a problem with these but just in case take a picture of the burn.


I hope your dd recovers quickly and as for the water heater, ours is just has a lever you turn. We have had problems in the past with our youngest turning it up.

 

[wdwmom2]

So sorry this happened to your DD. Burns are painful.

If it were me, I would call the doc back and see if he would recommend you using Silvadene cream. It is a great RX burn cream. We use it in our office and then cover it with gauze wrap. The kiddos heal great!!!

Several years ago DS was splattered with melted aluminum. It burnt holes right through the back of his shirt and caused terrible burns. We applied the Silvadene and he healed wonderfully. No scars!!!!

Speaking of scars, make sure that once she is healed, you protect that area from the sun for at least the first year. New skin and sun are a good recipe for scarring! Sunscreen!

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

OP here-- today was a much better day than expected. Dd is able to walk fairly well no her leg. I suggested the stroller and she wanted it (1st grader). then when we headed out the door I forgot to grab it. She managed the day just fine. She did have a classmate hurt her leg- sitting on the carpets- she said he scratched it- it hurt her alot - but it was just an accident. Good thing I was there to issue out the hugs. She participated in all activities. They did have a long jump- she tried it once and said that it hurt to do it so she sat out for the remainder of the time at the long jump. Otherwise she had a good time. The teachers were all great and her classmates were really concerned about her being okay.

Her burn area is red and she has a long streak of a blister on her leg. We have been using the bacatrican. The blister is very narrow. Not too long.

wdwmom2- thanks for the advice to keep it covered after it heals. We are heading to WDW in Aug so I will pack bike shorts/capris to keep it shaded.

I thank everyone for the encouraging words and great advice. Dis'ers are like a big family!

 

[Scurvy]

I'm so glad she had a fairly good day. She sounds like a great kid - I know many who wouldn't even want to try the activities for fear they would hurt. It sounds like she has a really good attitude about all this.