8-year-old Suffers 2nd Degree Burns in Microwave Accident in Ladera Ranch

Mission Viejo, CA--An 8-year-old girl was hospitalized with severe burns Sunday in Ladera Ranch when she spilled a cup of water that was heated in a microwave oven on herself, an Orange County Fire Authority spokesman said.

The accident took place just before noon, in the 10 block of Hillcrest Drive, said OCFA spokesman Capt. Steve Concialdi.

"The girl had spent a night at her friends house, and was using the microwave to heat up some water,'' Concialdi said. "She pulled the water out as soon the timer went off and spilled the cup on herself.''

Concialdi said the girl suffered first and second degree burns on her stomach and thighs.

"Paramedics had to treat her with pain medication because of the severity of her burns,'' Concialdi continued. "They then transported her to the burn center at the Orange County Global Medical Center.''

Concialdi said the incident is a blunt reminder to everyone, especially children, not to pull out a liquid that has been heated in a microwave as soon as the timer goes off.

"Liquids get super-heated in a microwave oven,'' he said. "If you do spill microwave-heated liquid on yourself, you should use cold-running water, not lotions or butter or ice to treat yourself or others.''