First Aid Response

What you do for a burn in the first few minutes after it occurs can make a difference in the severity of the injury!

  1. Stop the Burning process. Remove the source of heat…if clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL to smother out the flames.
  2. Remove All Burned Clothes. Clothing may retain heat and cause a deeper injury. If clothing adheres to the skin, cut or tear around adherent area to preserve good skin tissue.
  3. Pour Cool Water Over Areas Burned. Keep pouring the cool water for at least 3-5 minutes (30-40 minutes for chemical injury). DO NOT PACK THE BURNED AREAS IN ICE! This may increase the extent of injury and cause hypothermia.
  4. Remove All Jewelry, belts, Tight Clothing etc from over the burned areas and from around the victims neck. Swelling of burned areas occurs immediately!
  5. Do Not Apply Ointments or Butter to Wounds. These may cause infection due to their oil base and convert wounds to deeper injury.
  6. Cover Burns with a Clean Dry Dressing, Bandage or Sheet.
  7. Keep Victim Warm!
  8. Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible!