One of the biggest hazards with small children, especially babies because of their sensitive skin, is being burned by hot water.
Accidents happen in households on a daily basis.
Scalds are the number one culprit, followed by burns resulting from contact with flames or hot objects, then from swallowing chemicals, and finally from biting in electrical cords. Also being overexposed to the sun can lead to serious burns on a small child or babies body.
There are so many tips out there to read on how to prevent such burns but every one of them contains keeping the dangerous object away from the child. Practically, it is a wise prevention advisory, but theoretically not the ideal way to protect a child from these hazards in the long run.
Even if it speaks against everything you've ever heard, try introducing, starting as early as the age of 6 months, your baby to hot and cold objects in a controlled environment. Start with a cold or wet object, for example, a glass of soda with ice in it that's collected some condense water dripping down the side, and press your babies hand gradually and softly against it. Don't forget to constantly explain to the baby, speaking very slowly and clearly that it is cold and wet, use a funny, happy, high tone of voice and noises like "brrr", "drip, drop, wet", then dry his/her wet little hand with a towel letting him/her know it's no big deal, just wet now dry, showing the difference.
To demonstate hot do not take a scalding hot object, but maybe a very warm cup of coffee which has been sitting around for awhile, press her hand to the outside of the mug at first very shortly just with the fingertips saying "hot, hot, hot!", use a sharp deeper lower tone of voice indicating danger, shout words like "ouch" or "owa" and pull the baby's hand away abruptly. Do it a second time pressing the hand against the mug a little longer to make sure the warmth is felt, the baby will normally pull it away already or not want to touch it a third time, that's how fast babies learn.
Naturally, everything in the house which could cause damage to your child should be kept out of reach. The only problem is, children grow up really fast, and sooner or later they can reach your hot cup of coffee way up on the shelve or turn on the stove by themselves, so you really have to teach them the effect these potential hazards can have on them through almost acting it out before their eyes. Just by using your own emotions and body language, giving a little presentation, you can achieve mental awareness and respect for dangers, such as hot water, amongst your children. As a future tip: this also works a little later for protection against sexually transmitted diseases by showing boys how to use a condom, also the danger of smoking, drugs and other hazards which can be very dangerous or even fatal to one's body.
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