I just had the WORST day ever at Target. I was in line at the food court and a woman with a 6 year old and a 4 year old were in front of me. It was dinner time and the her kids were in the tired, whiny mode. The younger child was in the "carry me" whining mode we all know and love. She ordered them each a hot dog and milk, then inexplicably decided to order herself a large tomato bisque. (I don't think I've had hot food in at least 3 years)

The girl at the Target counter warned the mom that the soup was VERY HOT and repeated it twice before handing it to the mom. The mom put it down on the edge of the counter, put the four year old down and put her purse down on the counter to get money.

A four year old is just about even with the top of the counter. The purse knocked the hot soup down onto the top of the little girl's head, down her arm, chest and leg. The mom panicked and started screaming. the child was sreaming. I ran for the soda machine and the napkins and used the cold water and the crushed ice to dab the worst of the hot soup off. I stripped the poor kid's shirt and socks off- the soup was hot enough to bubble the decal off the shirt and dabbed her with water. I got the Target store first responder to bring a clean bath towel to wrap the kid in and then had the mom hold her daughter until the paramedics arrived. The poor thing blistered from top of head, across the face and on one arm.

Oh my gosh. That is just horrible. That makes me want to cry. The other day I was stirring a big pot of soup and it sloshed out on my stomach and my whole stomach blistered up. It made me realize that my stomach is the same height as the kids' face and they are ALWAYS swarming around me by the stove.

I'm going to make sure they stay way back from the stove. I sure hope that little girl is okay. That makes me so sad for her.

Michele
Sarah, Gregory, Amanda
born 1/22/04 at 35w1d

Our surprise baby Austin born 06/15/2005

www.fourtimesthefun.blogspot.com

I worry a lot about this, too. My kiddos flat out refuse to stay out of the kitchen when I'm cooking. I got one of these:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2305243

Love it. Easy to install. Doesn't look bad. Keeps little fingers and faces away from the heat.

BBG (1/21/05) at 36 weeks

Oh, wow. That is horrific. I know it's an accident, but what is that Mom thinking? Too bad she didn't seat her kids first and then fetch her soup.

Kudos to you for stepping in and helping. I would have been so nervous, but hope I act like you if I ever find myself in that situation.

Poor little girl.

Lisa

Poor baby. Thank goodness you thought fast!! Good job.

Tanna

06/22/07 29 weeks 4 days
Lincoln 2 lbs 13 oz
Colton 2 lbs 14.4 oz
Dakota 2 lbs 11oz
http://tannastriplets.blogspot.com/

AHHH that poor thing. Great job for thinking on your feet so fast. 2 wks ago I had 2nd degree burns on my forearm. The filter tray on one of these industrial size Bunn coffee makers was not placed correctly onto the metal grooves. I bump the filter tray with the coffee pot and it poured all over my arm. So I cringed when I read your post. I know exactly what that little one is feeling right now. Oh that poor little girl. I'm sure that mom is beating herself up right now over it. Atleast I would hope so.


Nicole
GGG, 36w
3/22/04

How awful. Good for you for responding so quickly and appropriately. I'm not sure I would have been able to think that fast, even with first aid training (I'm not creative under pressure). I know those type of burns can be really bad and really dangerous. I hope she'll be OK.

Kristen

Wow. Incredible. How truly terrible.

I'm glad to see how quickly you responded. Your actions probably did a lot to spare that little one unneeded pain and worse burns.

I find it amazing that people do such foolish things -- and, yet, I also know that I can do them myself. But, ya wanna know what's really amazing?? Rather than feeling guilty, it's just as likely that the woman has already consulted with an attorney re bringing a lawsuit against Target. (Too hot soup, anyone??)

Cat w/3 Kittens
Caidan, Carina and Caeleigh
Born at 31 weeks, 1/8/04.
It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. In memory of Carina, who was greatly loved.

http://b3.lilypie.com/bDA

Sadly, you are right. If the mom had gotten food poisoning from the soup being insufficiently heated, there would be a lawsuit... She is probably ready to sue Target for selling hot soup.

Sorry, that you had to go through the experience. But HUGE KUDOS to you for reacting the to situation and providing emergency care for the little girl. I am an EMT currently in paramedic school and want you to know that you did everything right. Few people in this world even would know what to do; let allow will step forward to actually do something. So again kudos to you for being a Good Samaritan.

T.L.

Our little hoodlums:
Jacob - 2lb 15oz "Pastafarian"
Noah - 1lb 8 oz "Ut-Oh-ologist"
Samuel - 1lb 15 oz "Meatatarian" It's a commitment
DOB: 8/9/06 at 28+1


www.caringbridge.org/visit/ralstontriplets