• Jessica R Street, Joanna C E Wright, Kelvin L Choo, John F Fraser, and Roy M Kimble.
• The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
• Burns. 2002 Aug 1; 28 (5): 472-4.

ObjectivesTo document and describe the effects of woodstove burns in children. To identify how these accidents occur so that a prevention strategy can be devised.Design, Patients And SettingRetrospective 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.Main Outcome MeasuresNumber and ages of children burned; circumstances of the accidents; injuries sustained; treatment required and long-term sequelae.ResultsEleven 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.ConclusionsWoodstoves 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.

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