Bonfire Night: Oooh, Ahhh, OUCH!

The nights are drawing in and it’s getting chilly, so it’s time to dig out the big coat!

You might be wrapping up with your gloves and scarves, or celebrating with some tasty food whilst watching a colourful light display.

The last thing you’ll probably be thinking about is fire safety, for instance, how you’d treat a burn.

A brief and informative summary on how to treat burns in an emergency. Reading time 3 minutes.

Burns can be caused by all kinds of sources. But at this time of year, when the sky is lit up most Saturday evenings, we want you to be up to speed on burns caused by fire.

What would you do in an emergency?

Pensioners and infants are most at risk; especially if burns involve the airways, or if they cover a large area of the body. Regardless of the cause, they usually require the same treatment.

How to Treat a Burn with ‘SCALDS’:

SOURCE

Remove the heat source if possible.

COOL

Cool the burn, ideally under cold or lukewarm running water, for at least 20 minutes. Keep the person warm to avoid hypothermia.

AMBULANCE

If the burn is very deep or covers a large area call 999 while the burn is being cooled. Call 111 for advice if you are unsure.

LOOSE

Remove or loosen unstuck objects only. Do not remove anything that is stuck to or touching the burn, as this is likely to cause damage.

DRESSING

Dress the burn using a burns dressing, a clean clear plastic bag, or cling film in a single non-constructive layer.

SHOCK

Look out for signs of, and treat shock, which might be caused by fluid loss.

Here’s a handy top tip for you…

And it’s that simple! Remember to practice ‘SCALDS’ in the event of any burns emergency. But most importantly, have fun!

If you want to find out more, read the SkillBase First Aid™ Guide to Burns.

You can also visit the Skillbase First Aid™ Store to see our selection of treatments for burns. They’re ideal to keep in your first aid kit, home or car.

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