Bonfire Night first aid: would you know what to do for a burn?

Big coats out. Gloves located. Someone asking whether it’s too early for a hot chocolate.

Bonfire Night has plenty going for it. But between the fireworks, bonfires and sparklers, it’s worth taking a moment to think about something beyond the weather forecast.

If someone got burnt, would you know what to do first?

You don’t need to know every first aid fact by heart to make a difference. Knowing where to start, and when to get help, can give you the confidence to step forward.

Whether it’s a sparkler burn or contact with something hot, this Bonfire Night first aid guide will help you remember those first steps.

Have a read before you head out, and share it with the people joining you.

How to Treat a Burn with ‘SCALDS’:

A hot sparkler, a splash from a kettle, a moment too close to a flame. Burns can happen quickly.

Our SCALDS reminder helps you work through the first aid actions. If someone needs an ambulance, call straight away while cooling the burn. You don’t need to finish the list first.

SOURCE

Remove the source of heat if you can do so safely. Make sure you’re not putting yourself or anyone else in danger.

If someone’s clothing is on fire, encourage them to stop, drop to the ground and roll to help put out the flames.

COOL

Cool the burn under cold or lukewarm running water for at least 20 minutes.

Keep the rest of the person warm while you cool the injured area.

Twenty minutes can feel like a long time, especially outside on a chilly evening. Set a timer so you don’t have to guess.

AMBULANCE

Call 999 for a very deep burn or one covering a large area, while the burn is being cooled.

Call NHS 111 for advice if you are unsure. There are more reasons to seek help in the section below.

LOOSE

Remove or loosen unstuck objects only.

Don’t pull away clothing, jewellery, nappies or anything else that is stuck to the burn. This could cause further damage to the skin.

DRESSING

After cooling, cover the burn with a specialised burns dressing, a clean clear plastic bag where appropriate, or cling film laid over the area in a single, non-constrictive layer.

Don’t wrap cling film around a limb, and don’t use anything that will stick to the burn.

SHOCK

Look out for signs of shock, which can result from fluid loss. The person may become pale, cold or clammy, faint or dizzy.

Call 999 if they show signs of shock. Keep them warm and follow the call handler’s instructions.

When should you get medical help for a burn?

Get urgent medical help for:

• A deep or blistered burn bigger than the injured person’s hand.
• Any burn with white or charred skin, or any deep burn.
• Burns involving smoke or fume inhalation.
• Burns accompanied by other significant injuries or signs of shock.
• Burns caused by chemicals or electricity.

Call 999 for a serious burn, breathing difficulties or signs of shock. If you’re unsure how urgently someone needs help, call NHS 111.

As a minimum, call NHS 111 for advice if the person:

• Is under five or over 60.
• Has burns to their face, mouth or genitals.
• Is pregnant.
• Has a condition affecting their lungs, heart or liver, or has diabetes.
• Has a weakened immune system.

You’re not expected to diagnose the severity of a burn yourself. Asking for help is part of good first aid.

What shouldn’t you put on a burn?

There’s usually someone with a suggestion. Butter. Cream. Something they remember hearing years ago.

Keep these points in mind:

• Don’t apply lotions, creams, oils, fats or greasy substances.
• Don’t use ice or iced water.
• Don’t burst blisters.
• Don’t remove anything stuck to the burn.

Running water is the place to start for a heat burn. Don’t delay cooling while you search for a first aid product.

For more year-round information about first aid for burns, read our SkillBase First Aid Guide to Burns.

Sparkler safety: a few reminders before you light up

Small doesn’t mean harmless. Sparklers need careful handling, including after they’ve stopped sparkling.

RoSPA’s advice includes:

• Never give sparklers to children under five.
• Supervise children throughout.
• Wear gloves and hold sparklers at arm’s length.
• Light one at a time and keep them away from faces, clothing and other people.
• Never run with a sparkler.
• Never hold a baby or young child while using a sparkler.
• Put used sparklers straight into a bucket of cold water.

For more prevention advice, read RoSPA’s firework safety guidance.

Pass the confidence on

You might be the person organising the evening, the colleague sharing a reminder, or the friend who’s mainly there for the hot chocolate.

Any of you could be the person someone turns to for help.

At SkillBase, we help ordinary people become Heroes-on-Standby: people who feel ready to take that first step when someone needs them.

Share this guide with your colleagues, customers, friends or family before the celebrations. A quick reminder now could help someone feel more confident when it counts.

Enjoy the oohs and aahs. And look out for each other.