Burns and scalds are injuries caused by heat, with burns resulting from dry heat sources like hot surfaces, electricity, and friction, while scalds are caused by wet heat, such as hot water or steam. Despite their differences, both burns and scalds can cause significant damage to the skin and other parts of the body. Understanding the causes and proper treatment of these injuries is crucial for ensuring your child’s safety.
Types of Burns: Recognizing the Severity
Burns can vary in depth, ranging from superficial to deep. Superficial burns are often more painful due to their impact on nerve endings, whereas deeper burns may cause less pain but more damage. Superficial burns are usually red and inflamed, while deeper burns can appear dark red, pale yellow, or even charred in severe cases. Regardless of the type, all burns require prompt first aid to minimize damage and prevent complications.
First Aid for Burns: Essential Steps to Take
If your child suffers a burn or scald, immediate action is vital. Here’s a step-by-step guide to providing first aid:
Ensure Safety: Remove any immediate dangers, such as flames or hot objects. If your child’s clothing is on fire, smother the flames with a woollen blanket. Do not slap or beat the flames, as this can worsen the fire.
Check Breathing: Make sure your child is breathing properly before proceeding with other first aid measures.
Cool the Burn: Run the affected area under cool (not cold) running water for 20 minutes. This helps to reduce the temperature of the skin and limit tissue damage.
Remove Clothing and Jewelry: If possible, carefully remove any clothing or jewelry near the burn. Do not attempt to remove anything that is stuck to the skin.
Keep Your Child Warm: Treating a burn with water can lower body temperature, so it’s important to keep your child warm by covering them with a blanket.
Cover the Burn: Use a clean, non-stick dressing, such as a clean cloth or plastic wrap, to cover the burn and protect it from infection.
Provide Pain Relief: If needed, give your child an appropriate dose of pain relief, such as paracetamol.
In cases of severe burns, or if your child appears unwell, call emergency services immediately. Seek urgent medical attention if the burn is larger than a 20-cent piece, blistering, or located on sensitive areas like the face, hands, or genitals.
Chemical Burns: Quick Actions to Take
Chemical burns require immediate and thorough rinsing with cool running water for 20 to 30 minutes to soothe the skin and dilute the chemical. If your child has swallowed a harmful chemical, ensure they can breathe and swallow properly. In any case of chemical exposure, contact emergency services or the Poisons Information Line for guidance.
Electrical Burns: Handling Electrical Injuries
If your child suffers an electrical burn, the first step is to safely remove the source of electricity. Then, check your child’s breathing and call for an ambulance. Electrical burns can cause internal damage, so it’s important to seek medical attention, even if the burn appears minor.
What Not to Do: Avoiding Common Mistakes
When treating burns, there are several actions you should avoid:
- Do not use ice to cool the burn, as this can cause further tissue damage.
- Do not apply lotions, creams, or food items like butter to the burn.
- Do not pop any blisters, as this increases the risk of infection.
Preventing Burns and Scalds: Safety Tips for the Home
To keep your children safe from burns and scalds, it’s important to take preventive measures, especially in high-risk areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces.
In the Kitchen:
- Always supervise your child when handling hot food and liquids.
- Keep hot drinks and appliances out of reach.
- Use the back burners on the stove and turn pot handles towards the wall.
- Avoid cooking or drinking hot beverages while holding your child.
- Use placemats instead of tablecloths to prevent hot spills.
In the Bathroom:
- Set your hot water system to a safe temperature (50°C).
- Install child-resistant tap covers to prevent accidental burns.
- Always supervise your child during baths, ensuring the water temperature is warm, not hot.
In the Bedroom:
- Avoid using electric blankets on children’s beds to prevent overheating and electrocution.
- Turn off heaters once your child is in bed, or remove the heater from the room.
- Keep clothes and toys away from heat sources.
In the Living Area:
- Place guards around fireplaces and keep matches, lighters, and candles out of reach.
- Regularly check that smoke alarms are functional and replace them every 10 years.
In the Garage and Outdoors:
- When camping, ensure children wear shoes and stay away from campfires and hot coals.
- Secure outdoor gas heaters and keep children away from lawn mowers and other hot objects.
Resources and Support: Learning First Aid
Being prepared is key to ensuring your child’s safety. Consider taking a first aid course, such as those offered by the Australian Red Cross or St John Ambulance Australia. These courses provide valuable knowledge and skills to help you respond effectively in emergencies.
