Three hundred and ninety-four children were admitted to the burn centre in Brno over a 3-year period. The overall incidence was 31 children per 100,000 children aged 0-14 years. The majority of patients were aged 1-3 years and almost 80 per cent of them were scalded. Proportionally more boys than girls were injured, in most cases at home in the presence of one or both parents. The highest risk time for injuries was between 16.00 and 18.00 h. Seasonal variations had no significant influence on the increased number of admissions to the burn centre. Sixty-six per cent of the children had minor burns. Four children died of the consequences of burns during the period studied. Social and economic factors had a significant influence on the incidence of childhood burns.