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How to Prevent Burn Injuries
- keep hot liquids away from table & counter edges
- keep handles on cooking pots turned in
- don't hold or pass hot liquids over children
- keep cups & bowls with hot contents out of reach
- keep children out of kitchen while cooking
- always keep oven door closed
- turn hot water heater temperature down to 120 F
- never place beds or cribs near radiators
- never place torch lamps near curtains & bedding
- never leave hot iron on floor or on top of bed
- keep iron or curling iron cords out of child's reach
- never smoke in bed
- keep electrical outlets covered from children
- never pour flammable liquids onto a hot BBQ
- never bury coals with sand; this will create an oven
What to Do if a Burn Injury Occurs
- remove the victim from the source of burning
- smother flames -- stop, drop, and roll
- cool with water, not ice
- flush chemical burns with copious amounts of water
- cover burn with dry, clean fabric bandage
- seek immediate treatment at qualified Burn Center
| Recognizing Burn Severity |
|
Degree |
How Much Damage |
How It Looks & Feels |
How It Heals |
How It Might Happen |
|
1st |
part of the 1st layer
(epidermis) |
pink, red, dry, and painful |
some peeling over a
week
no scar |
sunburn
steam |
|
2nd |
some damage to second layer
(dermis) |
blisters (should be removed)
skin under blisters is weepy
pink and painful |
new epidermis grows
in 1 to 3 weeks |
hot water, tea, coffee
flash fires
soups, hot foods |
|
3rd |
all of the skin is destroyed |
blisters may be present
color varies (red, pale pink
white or tan) |
needs skin grafting
unless very small |
grease scalds
electricity
roofing tar
flames, hot coals |
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