Oakmere Guides
Burns and scalds in children: what parents can do first
Simple steps for parents, grandparents and carers, inspired by a day of paediatric emergency learning.
At the Emergency Care Conference on 6 October, with its focus on paediatric emergencies, one practical message stood out: the first response to a burn starts with water. Knowing that simple step can make an unfamiliar situation easier to manage.
Cool promptly
For a heat burn or scald, start cool running water as soon as possible and aim for 20 minutes. Cooling can still help within three hours, but do not wait to begin. Remove nearby clothing and jewellery if they come away easily; leave anything stuck to the skin in place.
Keep your child warm
Cool the injured area while keeping the rest of your child comfortably warm. Avoid cooling their whole body. Young children can become cold quickly; if they start shivering, stop cooling and seek medical help. Do not apply ice, butter or creams.
Cover loosely
After cooling, lay cling film loosely over the injury. Do not wind it around a limb or put it over the face. A clean, non-fluffy cloth or non-stick dressing is an alternative. This is temporary protection while seeking assessment, not a dressing to leave on for days. Do not burst blisters.
Get the right help
Very large or deep burns, burns to the face, genitals or bottom, and chemical or electrical burns require emergency assessment. Call 999 for an ambulance when needed. If you are unsure what to do, contact NHS 111; telephone rather than using its online service for a child under five. Do not delay urgent help while finishing cooling.
A quick check at home
Keep hot drinks out of reach and avoid passing them over children. Put kettles and their cables back from worktop edges, turn pan handles away from little hands and keep hot hair straighteners inaccessible even after switching them off.
Trusted sources
General educational information, not a substitute for individual medical assessment. Call 999 in an emergency. Conference attendance and source links do not imply endorsement of Oakmere Life.