Preventing Massachusetts Child Burn Injuries

Supplemental home heating is a common, and often effective, way to augment your primary heating system during a cold Massachusetts winter. Fireplaces and portable heaters offer cheaper ways to keep your family warm while avoiding high oil prices. When using these devices it's important to adhere to all safety instructions in order to avoid fire hazards and child burn injuries.

Wood Stove Safety

Creosote is a flammable by-product of wood burning that builds up in chimney flues and causes chimney fires. Chimneys for wood stoves need to be both inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep every year.

Kerosene Heater Safety

Always refill a kerosene heater outdoors. This way, if there is any spillage it will not fall onto carpeting or other items near the kerosene heater inside your home. This will reduce the likelihood of the area around the heater catching fire. Never fill the heater while it is running.

Gas-fired Space Heater Safety

Carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions on where and how to operate the gas heater. Pay special attention to the directions on how to light the pilot. Running the pilot without lighting it will allow dangerous gases to accumulate and could result in burn injuries to the face and/or hands.

Portable Electric Heater Safety

Do not leave a portable electric heater running at night while you are asleep. Treat an electric heater with the same care you would any other small heating device, like a set of electric rollers or a portable electric stove. Another concern with electric heaters is the use of extension cords, which should be avoided. If you feel they are necessary, be sure they provide the adequate amount of current required by the heating device.

If your child suffered a burn injury because of someone's negligence when using supplemental home heating methods, you may be able to pursue compensation for your child's injuries with a Massachusetts child injury lawsuit.

For more information on protecting children from painful child burn injuries and what to do in the event that your child is injured in such an accident, visit our library.

The Massachusetts child injury attorneys at Phillips & Garcia will fight for your rights in your child's burn injury case. We are committed to protecting you and your child's best interests and helping your family collect the damages you need and deserve to move on with your life. Contact Phillips & Garcia today to schedule your FREE legal consultation - (877) 892-5620.