Every 25 seconds, someone in the United States is burned or scalded in their home, according to the American Burn Association and the Burn Foundation.
Understanding how burns happen, taking proper steps to prevent them, and being prepared to administer appropriate first aid—for those injuries that cannot be avoided—will help protect you and your family against burns.
HERE ARE THE FOUR CRITICAL STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE TO TREAT A BURN:
1. Immediately stop the burning process—seconds count!
2. Cool the burn—don’t overcool the victim.
3. Provide pain relief.
4. Cover and protect the burn area against contamination.
All burns should be treated with concern. It is important to keep in mind the golden rule of burn management: If someone has a burn on his or her body exceeding the size of the palm of his or her own hand, where blisters are present, burns to genitalia, face or to any flexion point, this person should seek medical attention. All electrical burns require medical attention. Situations like these an not be ignored.
