This study aims to summarize the influence of different definitions of unintentional burns on the prevalence and risk factors in rural children. A total of 3548 children living in rural areas were recruited from 12 schools, and questionnaires were used to collect self-reported burn data and related influencing factors in the past 12 months. Burn incidence and risk factors were compared based on two operational burn definitions (“1996 Definition of Burn-related Injury, 1996-DBI” and “2011 Definition of Burn-related Injury, 2011-DBI”). Based on the 1996-DBI, the unintentional burn prevalence was 5.92% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.14–6.70%), which was higher than the 2.23% ([95% CI] 1.74–2.71%) that was calculated using the 2011-DBI (χ2 = 61.90, P < 0.001). The unintentional burn rate ratios ranged from 0.20– to 0.53. Children who were separated from one or both parents accounted for more than half (50.39%) of the sample, and this status was a common risk factor for burns according to the two operational injury definitions. Different operational definitions have significant effects on the reported burn incidence and risk factors.