Some sobering statistics: Each year about 113,600 kids ages 14 and under are treated for fire or burn injuries and 518 kids die. Scald burns, caused by hot liquids or steam, are the most common compared with direct contact with fire.

This week is National Burn Awarness Week and I thought I'd pass along some of these safety tips from Safe Kids Wake County. Many of them seem so common sense, but judging from the numbers, perhaps we could all use some reminders.

Reduce water temperature. Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Consider putting anti-scald devices (about $40) on each water faucet and shower head. Check the bathwater with your wrist or elbow before placing your child in it.

Prevent spills. If possible, cook with pots and pans on back burners and turn handles away from the front. Avoid wearing long sleeves or baggy clothes in the kitchen. Don’t place containers of hot food or liquid near the edge of a counter or table and remove tablecloths.

Establish a “kid-free zone.” Make the stove area a “kid-free zone” (3 feet is a good distance). Mark it on the floor with bright tape. Never leave your child alone in the kitchen. Don’t hold children while cooking or while carrying hot foods and beverages.

Test food and drink temperature. Taste cooked foods and heated liquids to make sure they’re not too hot for children. Never microwave a baby’s bottle. Drinks heated in a microwave may be much hotter than their containers. Instead, heat bottles with warm water and test them before feeding your child.

Keep electrical cords out of reach — especially extension cords and cords connected to heating appliances such as coffee pots and deep fryers. Make sure electrical cords can’t be pulled or snagged into a bathtub or sink. Don’t leave a hot iron sitting on an ironing board unattended.

Childproof your home. Cover open electrical outlets so children can’t insert metal objects into outlets, which can cause electrical burns. Lock matches, lighters and flammable materials out of a child’s reach. Keep children away from candles and other open flames.

Actively supervise. Simply being in the same room with a child is not necessarily supervising. Safety precautions are important, but there is no substitute for active supervision.

Don’t let children play with or ignite fireworks. Fireworks injured more than 2,304 children in 2006. Fireworks are intended for use by adults in open spaces with plenty of active supervision for every child present.

Safe Kids Wake County is led by WakeMed. For more information about burn prevention, go to www.usa.safekids.org.