Plenty of us are proud owners of hair straighteners – that one beauty tool that many of us simply couldn’t live without.
However, while they are great for giving our hair a sleek look, they can be very dangerous for kids – reaching temperatures of over 220°C.
According to charity Electrical Safety First, the device can take up to 40 minutes to cool down, and can burn kids if they come into contact with them.
And with skin 15 times thinner than an adult, a child can suffer a severe burn even if the tool is turned off.
Did you know that Hair straighteners reach over 220°c & can take 40 mins to cool down? https://t.co/a8Dl2CRsSQ #BeBurnsAware #StaySafe
— Archie_FireDog (@Archie_FireDog) October 19, 2016
Shockingly, hair straightener burns account for nearly one in ten burns among kids, with the majority involving toddlers who touch the hot plates.
The charity advises parents to keep hair straighteners out of reach of children, use a heat proof pouch and keep them away from skin.
Tune in now to @SkyNews to see burns surgeon Jorge talk about burns & the danger of hair straighteners #BeBurnsAware @CBTofficial pic.twitter.com/0JdCO7ATva
— Electrical Safety (@ElecSafetyFirst) October 19, 2016
If your child does burn themselves they advise you run the area under cold water for at least ten minutes if mild and to seek medical attention if it is severe.
It's National Burns Awareness Day #BeBurnsAware when using #electric beauty tools near children. Check out our video https://t.co/ihX8wghJrm pic.twitter.com/0c1vzP4vtt
— Electrical Safety (@ElecSafetyFirst) October 19, 2016
