Thermal burn  A thermal burn is a type of burn resulting from making contact with heated objects, such as boiling water, steam, hot cooking oil, fire, and hot objects. Scalds are the most common type of thermal burn suffered by children, but for adults thermal burns are most commonly caused by fire. Burns are generally classified from first degree up to fourth degree, but the American Burn Association (ABA) has categorized thermal burns as minor, moderate, and major, based almost solely on the depth and size of the burn. Scalding is a type of thermal burn caused by boiling water and steam, commonly suffered by children. Scalds are commonly caused by accidental spilling of hot liquids, having water temperature too high for baths and showers, steam from boiling water or heated food, or getting splattered by hot cooking oil. Scalding is usually a first- or second-degree burn, and third-degree burn can sometimes result from prolonged contact. Nearly three quarters of all burn injuries suffered by young children are scalds. Fire causes about 50% of all cases of thermal burns in the United States. The most frequent event where people get burned by fire is during house fires encountered by firefighters and trapped occupants, where 85% of all fire deaths take place. Fireworks are another notable cause of fire burns, especially among adolescent males on Independence Days. The most common cause of injury by fire or flame in children is touching candle flame. In some regions, such as the western United States, getting burned by wildfires is common, especially among. Wildfires can suddenly shift due to changing wind directions, making it harder for firefighters and eyewitnesses to avoid getting burned. If clothing catches fire, third-degree burn can develop in a matter of just a few seconds. Solid objects that are hot can also cause contact burns, especially in children, who may intentionally touch things they don't know are too hot to touch. Such burns imprinted on the skin usually form a pattern that resembles the object. Sources of burns from solid objects include ashes and coal, irons, soldering equipment, frying pans and pots, oven containers, light bulbs, and exhaust pipes. There are three (or sometimes four) degrees of burns, in ascending order of severity and depth. For more information, see Signs and symptoms. According to Jackson's thermal wound theory, there are three zones of major burn injury. The minimum temperature that can cause a burn in a finite amount of time is 44 °C (111 °F) for exposure times exceeding 6 hours.