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First aid

Burns and scalds

Cool the burn with water for 20 minutes. Starter text to review by a health worker.

What to do

  1. Stop the burning: move away from the heat. Put out flames on clothes (stop, drop and roll).
  2. Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes, as soon as possible. If there is no tap, use cool clean water from a container or a wet clean cloth.
  3. Take off clothing and jewellery near the burn, but leave anything that is stuck to the skin.
  4. Keep the person warm (a blanket on the parts that are not burnt).
  5. When it has cooled, cover the burn loosely with cling film (clear food wrap), laid on, not wrapped round tightly.

Call 999 or 112 now if

  • The burn is large or deep.
  • It is on the face, hands, feet, private parts or bottom.
  • It was caused by a chemical or by electricity.
  • The person is a baby, a young child or very old, or is struggling to breathe.

Do not

  • Do not put creams, oil, butter or other home remedies on a burn.
  • Do not use plasters or sticky dressings.
  • Do not burst blisters.
  • Do not use ice or very cold water.

Sources

Written in our own words from these sources. Learn first aid properly with the Kenya Red Cross.