Burns are a common household injury, whether from a flame or from hot liquids. Let’s dive into some practical first aid tips for burns and ways to avoid getting burned in the first place.

NOTE: Always see your doctor if you have burns of any kind to assess the severity and get appropriate treatment. The first aid tips below can be applied to reduce the burn injuries before seeing your doctor.

First Aid For Burns

• Stop the burning process immediately. Remove the person from the heat source and stop their contact with hot liquid, steam, or other burning materials
• Remove clothing and jewellery. Carefully take off any clothing from the burned area, unless it’s stuck to the skin. Remove rings, watches, and other jewelry that could retain heat or constrict swollen areas
• Clean the burn – Wash it with cool water and plain soap. Do not use ice water. You do not need to disinfect the skin with alcohol, iodine, or other cleansers.
• Cool the burn – After you clean the skin, you can put a cool cloth on it or soak your skin in cool water. Do not use ice or ice water to cool the burn. Do not soak the burn for longer than 15 minutes.
• Prevent infection: Use a clean, non-stick bandage or cloth to loosely cover the burn. This helps to protect the skin from infection and further irritation.
• If your burn forms blisters, do not pop the blisters, because that can lead to infection.
• Do not scratch the burn – Scratching can increase the risk of infection.

Burns Prevention

In the Kitchen

• Never Leave Cooking Unattended: Keep an eye on your cooking, especially when using high heat or open flames.
• Use Caution with Hot Liquids: Keep hot drinks and pots away from the edge of counters and tables. Use pot holders and handle hot items with care.
• Turn Pot Handles Inward: Prevent accidental spills by turning pot handles away from the edge of the stove.

In the Bathroom

• Check Water Temperature: Before bathing, check the water temperature with your hand or a thermometer. Water heaters should be set to 49°C to prevent scalding.
• Supervise Children: Never leave children unattended in the bathroom. They can turn on hot water taps or touch hot objects.

Around the House

• Install Smoke Alarms: Ensure smoke alarms are installed in key areas of your home and test them regularly.
• Keep Flammable Items Away from Heat Sources: Keep items like paper, cloth, and flammable liquids away from stoves, heaters, and fireplaces.
• Use Space Heaters Safely: Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Never leave them on unattended.

Stay safe, and keep these tips in mind to protect yourself and your loved ones from burns!