The Gauteng health department has raised concern about the growing number of children admitted to hospital burns units, warning residents to take extra precautions during the winter, when the use of heating devices increases.
According to the department, most burn-related admissions in the province involve children.
In 2024 and 2025, one of the busiest specialised burns units in the province recorded 743 paediatric patient admissions for burns, with about 80 of cases linked to hot water burns, flame burns and electrical injuries. Between January and April 2026, the facility recorded 116 paediatric burn admissions, the department said.
