Burns
burns; scalds; firem chemical; first; aid; safety; water; burnt; emergency; flame; smoke; campfire;
Contents
Emergency aid for burns
- Put out the flames ('Stop', 'Drop', 'Roll') or cover the flames.
OR
Brush off the chemicals (do not use your bare hands to do this), then wash off the chemicals.
- Call for urgent emergency help if the person has any difficultly breathing, or if the burn is large.
- Cool the burnt area for at least 20 minutes under cold running TAP water (never use ice or ice cold water).
- Cover the burn with cling wrap or a burns dressing.
- Do not put any creams, butter or other treatments on burns until they have been seen by a doctor.
- Burns can become infected easily and they can leave bad scarring, so unless the burn is very small, take the person to a doctor.
Too many young people and children suffer burns, and burns can usually be prevented.
Flame burns
- Put out the flames by rolling the person on the ground and/or covering with a non-flammable blanket or coat. "Stop, Drop and Roll" on the floor or ground.
- Flame burns and smoke can burn the person's airways and lungs as well as the skin. The person may be breathing normally at first, but breathing can become worse even after the person is away from the fire and smoke.
- If the person's breathing is affected in any way (cough, wheeze or shortness of breath) - seek help urgently - call an ambulance.
Scalds
- A scald is when the person is burnt by hot drinks or other fluid (eg. car radiator coolant).
- Hot water can burn as badly as a fire.
- Many young children are scalded when they pull a cup of hot tea or coffee onto themselves. They can also be scalded by being put into a bath when the water is too hot.
First aid for large burns
Cool the burnt area for at least 20 minutes under cold, running tap water. Keep going if the burnt area still hurts when it is taken out of the water. Start this as soon as possible.
- If the person is very distressed, you may have to take her into a shower at the beginning.
- Remove all clothing (except if it is stuck to the burnt area), and watches, rings and bracelets, as a burnt area can swell quickly.
- Continue running cold water on the burn, but keep the rest of the person's body warm.
- Take off wet clothing, cover unburnt areas with a dry blanket, towel or other clothing.
- Continue cooling the burnt skin while taking the person to hospital or a doctor, using a spray bottle of cold water or wet cold dressings. You will need to change the dressings often as they will heat up quickly.
- Restart use of cold running water when you get to hospital or doctor's rooms.
- Do not put any creams or other treatments onto the burn unless told to by the doctor.
Cooling a burn under cold running water can still be of value even if it is not started until up to 3 hours after the burn happened, but the sooner treatment is started, the better.
Never use ice or ice cold water. Ice and very cold water can harm skin too.
Deep burns can cause permanent scarring, and in severe burns death may occur. Except in the case of a very minor burn, take the person to the nearest hospital or doctor for treatment after taking First Aid action.
First aid for small burns
Hold the burnt area of skin under cold running tap water for at least 20 minutes.
- If it begins to hurt badly after it is taken out of cold water, put it back into the cold water for longer.
- If the burn is small (under about a 5 cent coin size) it could be covered with a sterile, non-stick dressing (burns dressings can be bought at a chemist shop).
- If the burnt area is larger, it would be wise to see a doctor.
For First Aid for sunburn, see the topic Sun protection for your skin.
Preventing burns
- Work out a fire safety plan for your home. Practise getting out of a room or the house on a regular basis. Have a planned meeting place outside so you can check that everyone has got out.
- Install smoke alarms in your house, especially near the kitchen and in bedrooms.
- Lower the temperature of hot water taps and showers in bathrooms to 50 degrees C. In Australia, this is a legal requirement for all homes built since 1995. If your home was built before then, contact a plumber for advice (see Resources). If you can afford to, install mixer taps in the bathroom that blend hot and cold water, so only warm water comes out.
- Be very careful when using candles. Many home fires begin when a candle ignites cloth (eg. curtains) or furniture around it.
- Cigarettes are also common causes of fires at home. A dropped cigarette can also start a fire in a car!
- Store chemicals well out of reach (in a locked cupboard is best).
- Always protect yourself from sunburn by wearing a hat, clothing covering most of your body, and sun-block while outside on a warm day. You should not spend much time outdoors if the weather is hot.
- Put out campfires with water, not sand or dirt. Water cools a campfire much more quickly. Sand or dirt over a campfire may be so hot even 8 hours after it is put out that it can cause severe burns.
Adults and young people need to keep children safe. Just teaching them about staying safe is not enough.
- Always model safe behaviour around fires in front of children.
- Take great care when drinking a hot drink near children - keep cups away from the edge of the table or bench top - curious children will often reach for things. Never hold or drink a hot cup of tea or coffee while holding a baby or young child. Scalds from hot drinks are the most common cause of burns in young children.
- Teach children about the dangers of hot liquids, hot objects, fire and flames, so that they will eventually know what to do. But remember - no matter how well you teach them, it is up to adults to make sure that children are safe.
Injury Prevention Information
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).