Serving Florida

Erik Helms

Program Director

1-877-282-2071

  Burns

Thermal burns are caused by the sun, fire, hot liquids or objects and hot gases Electrical burns are caused by contact with electrical wires, current or lightning. Chemical burns are caused by contact with wet or dry chemicals. Burns on the face, hands, feet, and genitals can be particularly serious. Burns inflict tremendous damage to the body. They can cause extreme pain, scarring, massive infection, organ failure and death. If victim is on fire, tell the person to stop, drop, and roll. If the victim is in contact with electricity, shut off the power.

Burns
Signs and symptoms
First aid

Major (third degree)

Dry/leathery white or blackened, charred skin

Involves hands, face, eyes, ears, feet or genitals

Electrical burns

Burns involving smoke inhalation, fractures or other injury

Assess, Alert, and Attend to the ABCs

Expose burn

Cut and gently lift away any clothing covering the burned area

If clothing is stuck to the burn, do not remove it.

If the victim is in contact with a liquid chemical, immediately flush the chemical off with large amounts of water

Remove jewelry if possible (burns cause swelling)

Separate fingers of toes with dry, sterile bandage or a clean sheet if the burned area is large.

If it’s available and you are properly trained, give emergency oxygen.

Minor (first/second degree)

Pain
Redness
Swelling
Blisters

Expose the burn

Cool heat burns with cold water as quickly as possible and continue cooling at least until the pain is relieved.

After cooling, cover the burn with a dry, sterile bandage or a clean dressing.

Protect the burn from pressure and friction.

Immediate cooling of minor burns will reduce swelling, infection, and depth of the injury. It will allow faster healing with less scarring.

Do not pop burn blisters

Do not apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, cream, oil, spray, or any other substance to a burn.

Caution:
Consider any fallen or broken wire extremely dangerous. Do not touch (or allow your clothing to touch) a wire, victim or vehicle that is possibly energized. Do not approach within 8 feet of it. Notify the local utility and have trained personnel sent to the scene. Never attempt to handle wires yourself unless you are properly trained and equipped.

Once the power is off,ASSESS, ALERT and ATTEND to the ABCs. Victim may need CPR and defibrillation. Burns that may be present at the points where the current entered and exited the body. All victims of electric shock require medical assessment because the extent of injury may not be apparent.

When Caring for Children.

Minor burns in children are extremely common. Severe burns in children can result in prolonged suffering, disability, disfigurement and impaired physical and mental development. First aid for burns in children is treated the same as adults.

When Caring for Older Persons

Age and chronic disease contribute to a higher frequency of complications and death in older adults who suffer burn injuries. First aid for burns in older persons is treated the same as adults.

Prevention

Hot water scalds are twice as common as thermal burns in young children and typically occur when toddlers reach up and pull a pot of hot water off the stove and onto them.

Many fire-related injuries and deaths occur from children under 5 years old playing with matches or lighters and often start in a bedroom. Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet.

Extra caution must be exercised when working near energized power lines. Keep a safe distance between power lines and ladders, tools and work materials.