Don’t Burn Your Kids With Quick Ramen
A hot bowl of ramen is a delicious meal or snack for kids or adults. But when we give it to children, we may not realize that we are giving them a bowl of almost boiling water, especially if the soup is straight from the microwave.
Offspring editor Megan Walbert recently mentioned that she says ramen is one of the leading causes of burns in children. It turns out that a 2018 study found that instant ramen and other instant soups cause fluid burns in 1 in 5 children .
“I think there is speculation that it is safer than soups made [from the oven], “ Pediatric emergency specialist Courtney Allen told CNN . But if the soup is spilled on a child’s knees, the burn can be large and severe, which may require a skin graft.
So be extra careful even if this cup of noodles doesn’t seem too hot. Seattle Children’s Hospital recommends pouring instant soups into a bowl before serving to children because bowls tip over less frequently than many of those tall, microwave-safe cups.
Of course, other hot liquids can cause burns as well. Seattle Children’s also suggests chilling all food to a safe temperature before placing it on the table, skipping tablecloths (because small children can pull them on and throw food into their lap), and serving any hot drinks, such as cocoa, in a travel mug with lid. Scalding is most common in children under 4, but they have a tip for older children too: make sure they eat hot soups at the table and not from the bowl they hold in their lap.
The American Burn Association recommends pouring cool (not cold) water over the burn and removing all clothing or diapers from the burn if your child is burned. Seek medical attention in case of severe burns.