Nurse issues urgent warning about instant noodles every parent needs to know

An Australian nurse is urging parents to be extra vigilant when feeding instant noodles to children.

Pediatric nurse Sarah Hunstead, head of Australia’s child safety page Resuscitation for childrensaid it takes less than a second for the hot instant noodles to cause serious burns if spilled.

It comes as health authorities saw a spike 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 they are also a common cause of burns in toddlers, children and teenagers?’ Ms Hunstead wrote on Instagram.

‘Little ones have suffered serious burns from pulling a cooling bowl of noodles over themselves or spilling them while consuming them.’

To avoid burns, Ms. Hunstead recommends rinsing the cooked 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 strainer for a few seconds, then check the temperature to see if they are cool enough to eat,” she said.

‘This way they are ready to eat safely without having to wait a long time for them to cool, and without boiling water in sight!’

In October 2023, New South Wales health authorities issued a warning after five children were sent to hospital within a week after burns from instant noodles.

The most common injuries were burns to the thighs or genital area, caused by children accidentally spilling the boiling liquid on themselves while carrying the container or eating from their laps.

Burns have also been observed in toddlers, caused by pulling the container down from the kitchen bench or table when it has cooled.

Burns have also been observed in toddlers, caused by pulling the container down from the kitchen bench or table when it has cooled

Last month, Ms Hunstead also shared advice that could save a life.

She said it is important to draw a suspicious mark on the body to see if it changes or grows.

People are encouraged to draw a border around a suspected rash, bite or mark with a skin-safe pen to easily identify if the rash is getting worse.

‘Remember: make a sketch with a pen and then check it again!’ Mrs. Hunstead said.

Although most rashes are harmless and go away within a few days, it’s safest to keep a close eye on any new spots in case you need to see a doctor.

Skin rashes can be caused by infections, allergic reactions, immune system problems, or reactions to medications.