A licence to grill: charcoal barbeque burns in the paediatric population

Abstract

Barbecue devices can be classified into several categories, including electrical, gas-fuelled and charcoal-based devices. Recreational outdoor burns are a preventable cause of morbidity and disability. This study aims to describe and analyse contact-related barbecue coal burns in the paediatric age group across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. A retrospective review from January 2010 to January 2019 at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. All barbecue coal burn injuries in children less than 16 years that attended or were referred to the Burns Unit were included. There were 48 patients whom presented with a contact burn barbecue coal-related injury. The male to female ratio was 5:3 with an average age of 2.5 years. Most injuries occurred in the home setting. The most common site of injury were the hands. The most frequent type of injury was a mid-dermal burn, followed by deep and superficial, respectively. Charcoal barbeque burns in children were uncommon, usually occurred at home and most commonly involved critical burn areas such as the hands, with the potential for long-term functional impairment. This case series highlights the importance of understanding prevention campaigns around barbecues Level of evidence: Level IV, risk/prognostic study.