Perineal scalds from drive through restaurants: a public health hazard.

Burns due to hot beverages are a well known public health hazard, both at home [1] and in the work place [2]. Although, such injuries are often minor, they can be severely debilitating, and on certain occasions, fatal [3]. Burns due to hot liquids most commonly affect children [4] but in certain circumstances, the adult population is at risk. We believe these risks are reducible with increased awareness, education and simple first-aid measures. We report a series of three patients sustaining perineal scalds due to hot drinks served at drive through restaurants admitted to our burns unit during a 2-week period in a cold December in Wales.