Burn first aid

Important!

If the fire is in a pot on the stove, remove it from the heat and cover it with something like a lid or chopping board. Don't try to carry it outside.

If electrical: turn the current off.

If water (scalding): remove any clothing near the burnt area of skin. DO NOT try to remove anything that's stuck to the burnt skin.

If chemical: remove whatever is causing the burn.

For most chemical burns, immediately run water over the burn. Keep running water over it until a healthcare professional tells you to stop.

If the burn involves an elemental metal (lithium, potassium, sodium or magnesium) don't run water over it. Water can cause a chemical reaction that makes the burn worse. In this case soak the burn with mineral oil while waiting for medical attention.

If you work with chemicals your workplace may have a management plan for exposure to certain chemicals. Send someone for help to check if there is an antidote or procedure that improves the situation.

If the person is seriously injured or not responding, send for help or call 111 for an ambulance.

Cool the burn for 20 minutes

This stops the burn doing more damage, and helps the pain. Do this immediately if possible (after making sure the area is safe and calling for help if needed). You can start this up to three hours after the injury.

Put the burn under running, cold tap water for 20 minutes. Standing under a cold shower will help if the burn is on your back. Do not use ice or iced water.

If water is not available then soak the area in a cool, clean liquid or use a burn gel. Do not use oils, as they can keep the heat in.

Keep the person warm to prevent hypothermia. Children aged under 1 don't shiver, so pay particular attention to keeping them warm.

Remove any clothing over the burn. DO NOT try to remove anything that's stuck to the burned skin.

Remove any jewellery and watches, before the area swells.

Cover the burn

This helps to prevent infection and decrease pain.

Use a clean, non-stick dressing or cling wrap (like Glad Wrap). If you don't have these, use a clean, non-fluffy covering like a sheet. Make sure the covering is loose, as the burned area may swell and if the covering is too tight it will cut off circulation.

If you use a dressing, keep it in place with loose cling wrap or a loose bandage.

If the burn is to an arm or leg, keep it raised to reduce swelling.

If the burn is on the face or neck, keep the person upright rather than lying down.

When to seek medical help

Call an ambulance on 111 if you are worried about a more severe injury, especially with electrical injuries, large burns or when the person has inhaled smoke.

How serious a burn is depends on what has caused the burn, where the burn is, how large it is, how deep it is, and the age and health of the burned person. If you have any doubt, seek medical help, as it can be hard to know how serious or deep a burn is. Getting good medical care straight away may mean the burn heals more quickly and causes less pain and scarring.

Pain is not always a good indication of when a burn needs medical help. For example some very deep burns do not hurt as much as more shallow, milder burns, because deep burns can damage the nerves.