Children do have accidents and may come into contact with hot objects around the house by accident, such as radiators, hair straighteners, hairdryers, kettles and hot drinks amongst others. However, there will be occasions when professionals become concerned about thermal injuries or burns being caused to a child. As with all injuries, particular concerns would arise if a non-mobile child or infant sustains a burn injury.
There are some areas where it would not be expected for a burn injury to be sustained such as the soles of the feet, buttocks/back, or the backs of hands. Additionally, if the burn appears to be a clear shape (such as a cigarette butt or an iron), or if the burn has linear edges then suspicion may arise that the injury has not been caused accidentally.
If a burn has occurred, the doctors will want to identify how this happened and it may be necessary for an expert in burns and plastic surgery to be instructed to comment on the causation of the injury.