As we shiver through some icy weather, we wanted to share tips on keeping your little ones warm during the night safely – and the hazards to avoid.
Wheat Bags
Fire and Rescue NSW Firefighters have responded to numerous residential fires that have occurred due to wheat bags overheating in the microwave oven or wheat bags being used to warm bedding materials.
If you use any microwaveable heat pack as a bed warmer for your little one, you may be surprised to learn that the ACCC advises that these sorts of products should never be used in bed. The blankets trap the product’s heat, which may cause it to ignite, resulting in burns—this is especially dangerous for little ones, as their more delicate skin is susceptible to burns. These incidents have also been linked to house fires.
Some Safety Tips
Here are some tips for safe use, compiled from both Fire + Rescue NSW and ACCC Product Safety;
- Only buy wheat bags that come with clear heating instructions and follow them carefully.
- Never overheat wheat bags in the microwave or leave them unattended when heating.
- Be especially cautious with wheat bags bought at markets, fairs, craft stalls and similar sellers. This also applies to homemade wheat bags. Make sure they come with heating instructions.
- Leave wheat bags to cool in a safe area on a noncombustible surface (such as a kitchen sink). Don’t reheat the bag until it has completely cooled, which may take around two hours.
- As soon as your wheat bag starts to smell burned or charred, or if you notice this smell when heating it, let it cool down in the kitchen sink and then throw it away.
- Don’t use wheat bags in confined spaces that can trap heat, such as under blankets or bedding.
- Ensure the timer on the microwave oven is correctly set when heating your wheat bag. Accidentally setting 30 minutes instead of 3 minutes is easy to do and has caused potentially fatal fires.
- Check your wheat bag regularly for signs of wear and tear or scorching. With age, the fillings dry out and become combustible.
- A wheat bag should be cooled down on a non-combustible surface before storing.
A one-year-old’s wheat bag, after spontaneously igniting.
Hot water bottles
Each year, 200 people in Australia are treated for severe burns from using hot water bottles.
Only use a hot water bottle to warm the bed. Empty the bottle before you get into bed and place it out of reach. Never use hot water bottles where babies or children may come into contact with them.
Some Safety Tips
Here are some tips for safe use, compiled from ACCC Product Safety;
- All hot water bottles are marked with a ‘daisy wheel‘ date — check the daisy wheel to see when the water bottle was made, and if it’s more than three years old, don’t buy it.
- Don’t overfill or use boiling water in your hot water bottle — use hot tap water.
- Once filled, avoid direct contact with your skin by using a fitted cover or wrapping the bottle before use.
- Never leave on one body part for more than 20 minutes.
- Examine the hot water bottle before using it and throw it away if it leaks, looks cracked, damaged, brittle, worn or faded.
- Remove the hot water bottle from the bed before going to bed to avoid rolling onto it and bursting it. Do not lie, rest, or put pressure or weight on a hot water bottle.
- Store the hot water bottle upside down with the stopper removed in a dark, dry place. Before putting it away, make sure it is completely dry inside and out.
- If placed directly on the skin, hot water bottles can cause burns. These burns are severe and happen gradually; the user often cannot feel them until too late. Hot water bottle burns usually lead to third-degree burns and may require skin grafts. The skin of younger and older people is often thinner, more delicate, and vulnerable to more severe burns.
Electric Blankets
If you remove your electric blanket once the colder months are over, always store it rolled up, not folded. Inspect it before use and look for frayed fabric, exposed elements, damaged cords or scorch marks before using it again. If you notice any damage to your electric blanket, throw it away. Damaged or faulty electric blankets can cause an electric shock or fire hazard.
Some Safety Tips
Here are some tips for safe use, compiled from ACCC Product Safety;
- Check before use each year — cords should not be frayed, and the blanket covering the wires should not be worn out.
- Don’t sleep with your electric blanket on – warm the bed and then turn it off.
- Never place heavy items on your bed when the electric blanket is turned on.
- Seek advice about using an electric blanket if you have diabetes or are pregnant.
Safe options for keeping little ones warm during cold nights
Dress little ones for room temperature using a high-TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) sleep bag, suit, layers, or extra blankets.
For babies, it is best to use layers of lightweight blankets that can be added or removed easily according to the room temperature and which can be tucked underneath the mattress. The bed should always be made up so that the baby is at the foot of the cot to avoid any chance of the face or head becoming covered by bedding.
Know how to treat burns – book a Baby + Child CPR & First Aid Class today!
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