"Children are curious about fire", says Jackie Heinle, R.N., nurse manager in the Burn Treatment Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics. "But this curiosity can prove deadly and tragic. Children under the age of 10 make up 20 percent of all fire deaths."

Heinle says the best way to reduce the risk of your child becoming a fire victim is supervision and guidance. "They are key and need to be taught to children at a young age to help prevent future fire setting."

Here are some tips to protect your family:

• Children usually play with fire in bedrooms, closets, and under beds. Keep a watchful eye on these areas. Check for burned matches in these areas to see if your child is experimenting with fire.
• Keep matches and lighters in a secure cabinet or drawer.
• Never use lighters or matches as a source of amusement for children. They may imitate what you do.
• If your child expresses curiosity about fire or has been playing with fire, calmly but firmly explain that matches and lighters are tools for adults only.
• Take the mystery out of fire by teaching children it is a tool, not a toy.

If you suspect your child is intentionally setting fires or unduly fascinated with fire, get help immediately. Your local fire department, school, or community counseling agency can put you in touch with experts trained to help.

With cold temperatures and high heating costs some homeowners are lighting fireplaces or wood stoves to help cut heating costs. Heinle suggests that parents educate their children early about staying away from and playing around the stove or fireplace. "Since very young children are extremely curious, the parent is responsible for making sure the area is blocked from them via enclosures made of wrought iron or glass inserts," she says.

What should you do if someone in your family does get a burn? Heinle says that if the burn is larger than the size of their palm and a blister forms over the burned area, they should consult a physician.

• Remember the "Drop and Roll" instructions if your clothes catch on fire.
• The immediate treatment for a burn injury is to remove the heat source and run tepid water over the injury.
• Never apply ice to the burned area.
• Consult your physician for medical advice.
• If you consider the burn serious, call 911 for assistance.

For more information:

Burn Treatment Center