2nd degree burns from flat iron at mall kiosk

[JTsMom]

Yesterday we went to get Jason's Christmas pics done at a mall we'd only been to once or twice before, and hadn't seen much of. After the photo shoot, while we were waiting to view the pics, DH took DS out to explore a bit. The next thing I knew, I could hear DS screaming at the top of his lungs, and saw DH motioning to me to come out of the photo place, as he ran by carrying DS.

They had been walking past a kiosk that sold curling irons and flat irons in various bright colors, right at child level, and DS had reached out and grabbed one before DH could stop him. He said the guy working there just shrugged and said, "It happens."!!!! Then the guy gave DH some type of cream to put on it. :banghead:

Two of DS's fingers are all blistered, and the back of his hand and arm were less severely burnt as well. We got his hand submerged in cool water ASAP and called the ped.

One of the people at the photo place told us that she has one of those curling irons, and that they get up to 450 degrees! I just can NOT believe they would have tons of these things, in all sorts of child-attracting colors, right at kid level, out in the open!!!! Things happen so quickly, and I feel like it is extremely negligent, especially considering it seemed like it was a pretty regular occurence from the guy's reaction.

I would love to get them to change the set-up, and make it safer before it happens to someone else's child. What steps should I take?

[deborah_r]

No ideas, but I am sorry that happened.

I can't believe how stupid people/companies can be. Who could think that is a good idea? DUH.

[egoldber]

I would call the mall management company and start there. How awful!!!!!n :hug:

[MoJo]

They had them plugged in and heated up, and out and down at kid level? That is awful. Why? I don't have any suggestions, but I certainly agree that you should look into it.

Guess I'd start with the kiosk owners AND the mall management at the same time. I'd guess the mall wouldn't want such a danger present. They may not even realize the irons are hot. (I personally would have assumed they were not.)

[JTsMom]

They had them plugged in and heated up, and out and down at kid level? That is awful. Why? I don't have any suggestions, but I certainly agree that you should look into it.




Yes, isn't it nuts?!?!? There were a TON of them too- I'd guess at least 30, and they were on both sides of the kiosk, so not supervised. They were demo'ing them. Some were in little plastic holders, but with the part sticking out, and some were on the countertop.

[TwinFoxes]

I would call the mall management company and start there. How awful!!!!!n :hug:

That is horrible!! I agree, the mall management will probably care more than the owners...those kiosks always seem pretty fly by night to me. (Of course you should give the owner a chance to remedy the situation, I just wouldn't hold my breath.) Also, maybe there's a child safety division of your local government? I don't know if they would be the right place to try.

The malls here have people demoing those things too, but I think they're higher up, and they don't have tons, only a one or two plugged in that the employees use. I bet it's still a hazard though.

[mousemom]

Wow! What a terrible set-up, especially during this time of year when the malls are crowded and busy anyway! It would never occur to me that they would have something hot like that out at a level where kids could easily grab one. I would contact the mall management ASAP. "It happens" is certainly not an acceptable response from anybody to a child being seriously burned. I'm so sorry you had this experience and I hope your son heals quickly!

[JBaxter]

I'd be ALL OVER the mall management. NOT acceptable

[mom2binsd]

MALL MANAGEMENT....those kiosks constantly violate their contracts around here, our mall does not allow them to solicit/bug people walking by but they do ALL THE TIME....I just walk right to the mall office and report them...that is a huge safety violation..if you don't get anywhere a quick call to your local newspaper/tv station will help remedy the situation (they love stuff like this!)

Hope your little guy is feeling better, those kind of burns hurt for days...

[mamicka]

Oh, how awful! Definitely call mall management! I would also call the police department in your city (not emergency) & let them know that something so unsafe was going on at the mall. I'm sure the effectiveness of this varies by location but where I live I would feel that was appropriate.

Have you taken him to the dr? I hope he heals quickly, that would really hurt. :grouphug:

[TonFirst]

Oh, that is TERRIBLE. Call mall management, and if you don't get anywhere, call Ross Cavitt or Richard Belcher or any other of the network investigative reporters here in town. OR, since these kiosks are national and they are everywhere - and if the dude had BURN CREAM, this probably happens all the time - call a producer CNN, conveniently located in your own backyard.

[babybunny]

Horrible. I would be livid. It is my understanding that burn cream is actually the WORST thing you can apply. You need to do what you did and immerse in water.

[JTsMom]

Do you guys think I should call or write? Maybe both would be best? Any ideas for specific ways to word things that might convince them of the seriousness of the issue?

Like mousemom said, it's just not something that would ever occur to me- who leaves extremely hot metal plates, in colors that make them look like toys, at kids' levels, in the mall?!? And that section of the mall is right near where all of the kids stuff is- Picture People, Children's Place, Santa, the train, etc. It would be like leaving knives out or something. On a less important note, can you even be doing people's hair like that without some type of a liscence? I took a couple of pics of the setup on my phone, but I don't know how to dump them into the computer, and I don't think they came out too well.

I have not taken him into the ped, but I did speak with her twice yesterday. She felt that b/c the burn didn't cover a whole lot of area, and b/c the worst of it it was on his hand where the skin is pretty thick, it didn't really require an ER visit. She said if I was concerned in the morning to bring him in, but to otherwise just keep a close eye on it and watch for any sign of infection. He's doing pretty well, thank goodness. It looks a little better already, and he doesn't seem to be in much pain, and is acting normally. I dosed him with Motrin twice yesterday, and have offered it again today, but he says he's ok. I'm keeping it wrapped, and on the doctor's advice, put some Neosporin on it as well.

[JTsMom]

Horrible. I would be livid. It is my understanding that burn cream is actually the WORST thing you can apply. You need to do what you did and immerse in water.

Exactly! Not only is the guy setting up the situation to happen, he's then worsening it! And how many people even know that, kwim? I know a little about burns just b/c I've had a couple of them, but the average person probably doesn't know much about treating burns.

After things had settled (which took a couple of hours), I went back into Picture People to pick up our stuff, and one of the employees was horrified that I had submerged it in water- she said she had gone to nursing school, and that was one of the worst things I could have done. :shake:

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

MALL MANAGEMENT....those kiosks constantly violate their contracts around here, our mall does not allow them to solicit/bug people walking by but they do ALL THE TIME....I just walk right to the mall office and report them...that is a huge safety violation..if you don't get anywhere a quick call to your local newspaper/tv station will help remedy the situation (they love stuff like this!)

Hope your little guy is feeling better, those kind of burns hurt for days...

:yeahthat:Mall management for sure. AND if the mall is owned by a large mall chain company, here in AZ a lot are Westcor owned, I would call them, too. It screams LAWSUIT!!!!!!!!

I would have been escorted out by mall security....:angry-smiley-005:

[carolinamama]

I am really outraged for you. It is not safe for anyone involved. I am thinking that even an adult could bet seriously burned when just trying to pick up the iron to examine it. Who would think that a bunch of plugged-in, hot straight irons would be displayed in the middle of a mall? I hope that the mall management is able to make this situation safer.

[JTsMom]

Just in case anyone is curious, it's this mall:
http://www.arborplace.com/shop/arbor.nsf/facts

although it seems like these kiosks are popping up all over the place. I guess the (mall) company is CBL, which I'd never heard of before. The site says they own 158 properties though, so it's pretty big.

ETA: And the kiosk was called Her Style

[TonFirst]

CBL is a big one - I am not sure how many others they own in Atlanta. I know that Perimeter and Cumberland are both Simon and they both have those kiosks. I think Lenox *might* be Simon, too, but I'm not sure without googling and I'm on my way out the door.

I'd seriously consider contacting the media, though, if only because those kiosks are so ubiquitous and the holiday shopping season is ramping up, so they'll be doing a lot of shopping-themed stories and will be looking for good new ones like this one.

[ellies mom]

After things had settled (which took a couple of hours), I went back into Picture People to pick up our stuff, and one of the employees was horrified that I had submerged it in water- she said she had gone to nursing school, and that was one of the worst things I could have done. :shake:
Yeah, but there is probably a reason why she is an employee at Picture People instead of a nurse. We learned at my nursing school that cream is bad. Running water would probably be better but swishing in cool water is good too.

I can't believe they would have so many just laying about either. Definitely complain.

[elephantmeg]

make sure you ake pics too. Running water is the appropriate action-ice is not. I'm not sure what the picture people girl was smoking.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I saw those one day and thought they were a dangerous liability waiting to happen. I am so sorry it happened to your little guy!!

Beth

[JTsMom]

Yeah, but there is probably a reason why she is an employee at Picture People instead of a nurse.

LOL, that's what I said too. Even after I had said the ped instructed me to do the same, she stuck by her story.

I think I'm going to start with CBL's corporate office. Any tips before I call? I want to be as effective as possible.

[Melaine]

I have seen those kiosks and wondered about this happening! The fact that the guy said, "It happens" is the worst part about it! I would push this pretty hard with management. Also because I think those kiosks are super annoying. The ones that sell beauty products drive me crazy.

I'm sorry about your DS!

[TwinFoxes]

Oh, that is TERRIBLE. Call mall management, and if you don't get anywhere, call Ross Cavitt or Richard Belcher or any other of the network investigative reporters here in town. OR, since these kiosks are national and they are everywhere - and if the dude had BURN CREAM, this probably happens all the time - call a producer CNN, conveniently located in your own backyard.

As a journalist, normally when people say "call the media" I think "good luck" because the stories just aren't interesting. THIS ONE IS! Maybe not CNN, but definitely your local news. "The dangerous product that could injure YOUR child at the mall this Holiday season." It's worth a call.

[ThreeofUs]

They had them plugged in and heated up, and out and down at kid level? That is awful. Why? I don't have any suggestions, but I certainly agree that you should look into it.

Guess I'd start with the kiosk owners AND the mall management at the same time. I'd guess the mall wouldn't want such a danger present. They may not even realize the irons are hot. (I personally would have assumed they were not.)


I'm SO sorry this happened to your poor little one! Oh, my gosh!

But a big :yeahthat:

That's a severe injury and a lawsuit waiting to happen. The kiosk owners and the mall management need to know (1) that your kid was injured and (2) that if it happens again, they might be slapped with a "reckless endangerment" lawsuit.


As a journalist, normally when people say "call the media" I think "good luck" because the stories just aren't interesting. THIS ONE IS! Maybe not CNN, but definitely your local news. "The dangerous product that could injure YOUR child at the mall this Holiday season." It's worth a call.

And I'd call the media, too.

[JTsMom]

Well, I tried calling their corporate office, and was passed off to v.m. and a secretary both times. I left messages, so we'll see if I get a call back from either in the next few hours. I figured I should speak with them first, but my next steps may be the media or the PD.

Poor DS keeps wanting to tell the story and have it told to him over and over. I think he's having a hard time processing it and feeling safe. :(

[egoldber]

Have you called the local mall's office? Or was that who you called?

[JTsMom]

No, I thought I'd go right to the big wigs at corporate, but I believe the person they transferred me to was the district or regional manager or something b/c they asked which wall it was, then said, "Oh, that's so and so". I figured if it's a national thing, I'd be better off speaking with someone who might be able to make a change in more places.

[[email protected]]

No, I thought I'd go right to the big wigs at corporate, but I believe the person they transferred me to was the district or regional manager or something b/c they asked which wall it was, then said, "Oh, that's so and so". I figured if it's a national thing, I'd be better off speaking with someone who might be able to make a change in more places.

Call the local office, then work your way up the food chain if you don't get a good response. The national office is going to have to call the local mall to get an idea of what happened and confirmation that the irons are hot at that location. The kiosk contracts are also probably at the local mall. BTW, depending on how many irons they have plugged in, it could be a fire code violation too and the local mall would be the best to address that issue.

I'm so sorry that your DS got hurt. It's truly horrible and I hope you get immediate action.

[Indianamom2]

Chiming in a bit late, but I am so very sorry that happened to your little guy.

We have those kiosks in our mall now too and I was just thinking to myself a few days ago that the plugged in curling irons were at kid level and that was absolutely not safe.

Frankly, I'm amazed it doesn't happen more often. I'm not usually one to report every little thing, but this is one that I would. I could easily see my 5 year old reaching out and getting burned and she's really a very good girl.

"It happens" isn't good enough when your child gets 2nd degree burns. If I were you, I'd take pictures of the burns and document everything you can, then take it all to the mall management and demand that the irons be placed out of reach of young children.

Hope your little guy gets better soon.

Christina

[TonFirst]

As a journalist, normally when people say "call the media" I think "good luck" because the stories just aren't interesting. THIS ONE IS! Maybe not CNN, but definitely your local news. "The dangerous product that could injure YOUR child at the mall this Holiday season." It's worth a call.

Hee! My professional background is in PR/Public Affairs, and I've had to pitch so much crap in my life that I know won't get picked up, but this story? With the injured child and the malls and Black Friday coming up? Total easy lift! I can completely picture how the story would run on the 6 PM news.

[KBecks]

ITA it's an easy story for the news to cover and I think it's good for public safety. We were just in the mall last week and my boys were playing with the flat irons (they were not plugged in, just on display). I can't imagine having a cart full of 450 degree irons on --CRAZY!!!!!

I am so sorry your son was hurt. It's absolutely wrong he was put in danger. I would complain A LOT, and I think you deserve more than an apology. I hope the mall management can help you. I think the company / franchise owner needs to apologize and fix this.

[baileygirl]

I hope your son heals quickly! I second the idea of taking pictures, not to sue, but just so you can show just what happened.

[KrisM]

How awful! I am so sorry your DS got hurt :(.

[alien_host]

First, I as so sorry your DS got burned and I am astonished that this even happened. I've never heard of such a thing at the mall.

I mean people could bump into these things or get pushed into them? I'm thinking of kids horsing around. Seriously, I'm shocked.

I'd call AND write a letter (send it certified). Obviously calling is more immediate but I think it's important to get these things down on paper so there is a paper trail.

I hope you get to speak with someone who can take action soon. Hugs to you and your DS. I hope it heals quickly.

[dcmom2b3]

I'm so sorry, I hope that DS heals quickly and easily. FWIW, I've burned myself plenty with smoking hot curling irons and I always healed well. Using aloe helped a lot.

But that's not to minimize what happened to your son or excuse the circumstances. My getting burned was totally a price for having straight hair regularly -- as an adult who'd made that choice for myself. Having that many hot irons out in public is just crazy.

Since it seems like you're getting a bit of a run around in trying to call to register your concerns, you might think about complaining in writing -- call and sweetly ask for the contact info for the mall manager, regional manager and the corporate general counsel. Or try Google-ing. If the mall management company is publicly traded this sort of info might be out there, either on the company's own site or others. Put your concerns in writing and send them off to all three of them.

Hoping for a speedy and relatively pain-free recovery for your little one.

[MamaKath]

Oh so sorry to hear this happened. What a horrible reminder that we have to be extra vigilant about kids as we go into the holiday season! I hope you are able to get through to Mall Management.

[DrSally]

OMG! I'm so outraged for you. That is not right that they're at kid level and bright colors that attract children. If this has happened before, they should have done something to fix the issue. I would call the mall management and talk to them about it. It's a liability issue. I sure hope your little guy is doing better :(

[srhs]

SO sorry that happened to your DS!
How crazy irresponsible of them!

[DrSally]

After things had settled (which took a couple of hours), I went back into Picture People to pick up our stuff, and one of the employees was horrified that I had submerged it in water- she said she had gone to nursing school, and that was one of the worst things I could have done. :shake:

Whatever! You did the right thing. "Burn cream", what an oxymoron. Also, did you take a picture of the burns? That would be something to include in a letter, if you decide to write one.

[DrSally]

Well, I tried calling their corporate office, and was passed off to v.m. and a secretary both times. I left messages, so we'll see if I get a call back from either in the next few hours. I figured I should speak with them first, but my next steps may be the media or the PD.

Poor DS keeps wanting to tell the story and have it told to him over and over. I think he's having a hard time processing it and feeling safe. :(

Poor guy. Perhaps getting something done about it so as to protect other kids in the future would help him feel better/empowered. At this point, if you can't get someone on the phone, I would write a letter and also send one to the local news station, or email/call the news station. I would specifically give the exact words of the kiosk owner, which make it clear that this has happened before, so he knew it was a real risk, but continued to have the irons plugged in at kid level.

[shawnandangel]

I would go back to the mall with my camera and take pictures of the irons plugged in.

This may be a fire code violation. Power strips can only be plugged into an outlet, not into other power strips.

Take pictures of your DS's burns, and as pp said include them in your letter. If it were me, I wouldn't bother calling the mall office. I would go down there with my DS and show them his hand, the pictures and ask to speak to the mall manager. If it gets you nowhere then I would go to the local news.

I am also concerned about this employee giving your son "burn cream". Did the employee apply the cream? Were his hands washed before he did so? Was he certified in first aid? What kind of cream was it?

I would also go back to the kiask and ask for the employee's name that was there and the name of his supervisor. This may be important information to pass onto the mall management. If the same employee is not there go up and sweetly say "Hi, I was here the other day and this gentleman was helping me, I can't remember his name. . . he looked like ______. What was his name?"

[Sillygirl]

I don't understand the purpose of plugging them in for display anyway. Are they seriously using the same curling iron on everyone's hair? Ewwww.

[Melaine]

I don't understand the purpose of plugging them in for display anyway. Are they seriously using the same curling iron on everyone's hair? Ewwww.

They try to lure people in to do demos on their hair. They always hit me up because my hair is usually curly, frizzy and unkempt.:ROTFLMAO:

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

I agree with PP's take photos of the set-up, them plugged in any info on the temps,etc. PLUS pics of DS's hand. And document the call to the Ped. Make a BIG deal, the squeaky wheel gets the grease! Someone could get REALLY hurt because of their blatant stupidity.

[srhs]

I would go back to the mall with my camera and take pictures of the irons plugged in...
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe bring a video camera and videotape someone with the kiosk appearing to be just in the background. Not DS, though, he sounds too upset. :(

[gatorsmom]

OMG that's terrible. It breaks my heart to think about your little boy screaming from a burn. Burns are terribly painful. I hope your DS is feeling better physically and emotionally very soon.

I agree you should take this further. Other little kids are going to get burned, no doubt about it. Let us know how it goes.

[MartiesMom2B]

I used to work in Mall Management at one of the largest malls in the United States and one locally where I wrote all of the leases for the kiosks. To get the quickest action, you need to call the Mall Management Office of the Mall that you were at. It'll probably take more time if you go through corporate. If you haven't heard by them tomorrow, you need to call Mall Management. Those kiosks are usually leased by someone on site and not at the corporate office. Which means that the Mall Management has the information for that business. This is a dangerous situation and it needs to be taken care of immediately. If this happens to someone else, you need to go directly to the customer service kiosk at the mall and let them know what happened.

[JTsMom]

Just got off the phone with the AGM at the mall. The kiosk owner had already made a statement. She (the AGM, not the owner), was apologetic, and said she had already been down there to check out the situation, and had instructed them to move any plugged in irons up higher, and not leave them on the edge of the counter. She said that all 30-ish irons were not plugged in, and that only about 10 were, in 2 specific spots, near the register. I'll have to try to get my pics of the cart uploaded- I know there were some power strips hanging down.

She assured me that the next time I come in, the irons will be off the edge, but somehow I'm not feeling much better about it.

She said we could also email a statement, and that if we'd like to make a claim, each kiosk owner has it's own insurance.

I also made sure to tell her about the burn cream, and the "It happens." comment. She said she had never been told of any other injuries there. I made sure to stress that I didn't want to see it happen to another child, especially with the holdiay shopping season approaching, and she said that was her goal as well.

I'll definitely make a statement, but I'm not sure which steps, if any, to take next. DH and I have talked about contacting the media, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that would make. It may make people more aware, I suppose, but really, the ideal solution is just to make it impossible for a child to get burned on these things.

My mom wants me to contact a lawyer, but I'm not sure that makes any sense either since we don't have any significant medical costs (at least so far, thank goodness). The real "costs" were to DS's emotional well being, and of course, the pain he suffered.

[Melaine]

Lori, I'm glad you are getting some response at least. I do think you should continue to push because I have specifically seen these kiosks and specifically thought to myself, "That looks dangerous". I think your goal should be for them to change their practice of having the irons at child level and/or to have them put covers over the irons when not in use. Then at least they wouldn't be dangerous to the average passing child.

[KBecks]

Ten plugged in irons is nuts. Seriously, they need maybe two or three. I think calling the news is your best thing to pressure the mall and the kiosk people into getting their acts together.

[TwinFoxes]

They try to lure people in to do demos on their hair. They always hit me up because my hair is usually curly, frizzy and unkempt.:ROTFLMAO:

They always try to hit me up too...and in both of our cases do they really think we'll stop with twins in tow for a little impromptu hair styling session???

I should do it once, and see how long they try to keep me there after the girls start yelling because they're bored. :)

[teedeedee]

2 Christmases ago when I was pregnant with DD, I had one of the employees for one of those flat iron kiosks reach out and grab my arm and pull me over! I was LIVID. I informed him that 1st of all- to NEVER touch me again, 2nd- to never grab anyone, and 3rd that I was pregnant and that if he had knocked me off balance and made me fall, he would be hearing from my lawyer. I complained to mall management and was told that they weren't allowed to touch anyone without permission. The guy, of course, denied it. As it was Christmas and I was going out of town, I let it go.

The people working at those kiosks often step way over the line.

I agree with your mom, I'd call a lawyer- especially if they aren't going to do anything to fix an unsafe situation. But at the very least, I'd call the local news.

TD

[BelleoftheBallFlagstaff]

They always try to hit me up too...and in both of our cases do they really think we'll stop with twins in tow for a little impromptu hair styling session???

I should do it once, and see how long they try to keep me there after the girls start yelling because they're bored. :)

Pretend to be talking on the phone as you walk by, it works on the obnoxious nail file people at our :ROTFLMAO: mall!