BURNS AND SCALDS - First Aid Guide
In the event of a burn or scald these are the steps to
follow in administering aid;
- Cool the burn as quickly as possible with cold (but not ice-cold) running water for a minimum of 10 minutes or until the pain is relieved.
- Call 999 or seek medical help if necessary.
- While cooling the burn, carefully remove any clothing or jewelry, unless it is attached to the skin.
- Keep the person warm using a blanket or layers of clothing (avoiding the injured area) to prevent hypothermia. This is a risk if you are cooling a large burnt area, particularly in babies. Children and elderly people.
- Do not wrap the burns as this may lead to swelling and further injury. 6. Do not put creams, lotion and sprays on the burns.
- If appropriate, raise the limb to reduce the swelling and offer pain relief.
- For chemical burns, wear protective gloves, remove any clothing affected, brush the chemical off the skin if it is a powder and rinse the burn with cold running water for a minimum of 20 minutes, if possible determine what caused the injury and call 999 or 112.
