An Australian nurse is urging parents to be more vigilant when feeding their children instant noodles.
Pediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead, who runs Australia’s child safety page CPR childrenHe said it takes less than a second for hot instant noodles to cause serious burns if spilled.
This comes as health authorities saw a rise in the number of children suffering burns from the popular snack.
‘Noodles are a popular snack, especially in the colder months, but did you know that they are also a common cause of burns in toddlers, children and teenagers?’ Hunstead wrote on Instagram.
“The little ones have suffered serious burns when they spilled a bowl of cold noodles on themselves or spilled them while eating them.”
Pediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead (pictured) said hot instant noodles take less than a second to cause serious burns if accidentally spilled.
To avoid burns, Hunstead recommends rinsing boiled noodles under cold water for a few seconds before serving.
Ms. Hunstead then shared her recommendation to help prevent burns.
“Drain the boiling water, rinse the noodles in cold water in the colander for a few seconds and then check the temperature to see if they are cold enough to eat,” he said.
‘This way, they’ll be ready to eat safely, without having to wait long for them to cool and with no boiling water in sight!’
In October 2023, New South Wales health authorities issued a warning after five children were sent to hospital in one week after suffering burns caused by instant noodles.
The most common injuries were burns on the thighs or genital area, caused by children who accidentally spilled the boiling liquid on themselves while carrying the container or eating on their lap.
Burns have also been observed in young children, caused by knocking the container down from the bench or kitchen table when it is allowed to cool.
Burns have also been observed in young children, caused by knocking the container down from the bench or kitchen table when it is allowed to cool.
Last month, Hunstead also shared some tips that could save a life.
He said it is important to outline a suspicious mark on the body to notice if it changes or grows.
People are advised to draw a border around a suspected rash, bite or spot with a skin-safe pen so it is easy to identify if it is getting worse.
‘Remember: Outline with a pen and then check again!’ said Mrs. Hunstead.
While most rashes are harmless and resolve on their own within a few days, it’s safer to keep an eye out for any new marks in case you need to visit a doctor.
Rashes can be caused by infections, allergic reactions, immune system problems, or reactions to medications.