Burns What Should You Do

·        Saucepans on the stove

·        Bath water being to hot. 

·        The child turning the hot tap on in the bath

·        Your iron

·        That nice hot cup of coffee you just made yourself {your child just pulled it of the table when you turned your back for a second}.

·        The hot tub of wax you left in the bath room to heat{to get rid of those annoying little hairs}

·        The car exhaust pipe {you just got home from shopping taken your toddler out of the car turned around to get your baby out. Ohh no your toddler touched the exhaust pipe. Nasty.}

The list goes on. My point is there are so many things around your home that could burn your child.

Ok so your child has just burnt them self by pulling the saucepan from the stove. Because whoever was cooking those boiled eggs didn’t turn the handle around. What do you do?

FOR MINOR BURNS

1.       If the skin is unbroken, run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in a cool water bath (not ice water). Keep the area submerged for at least 5 minutes. A clean, cold, wet towel will also help reduce pain.

2.       Calm and reassure the person.

3.       After flushing or soaking, cover the burn with a dry, sterile bandage or clean dressing.

4.       Protect the burn from pressure and friction.

5.       Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and swelling. DO NOT give children under 12 aspirin. Once the skin has cooled, moisturizing lotion also can help.

6.       Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment. However, if a second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, or if it is located on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, treat the burn as a major burn.

7.       Make sure the person is up-to-date on tetanus immunization.

FOR MAJOR BURNS

1.       If someone is on fire, tell the person to STOP, DROP, and ROLL. Wrap the person in thick material to smother the flames (a wool or cotton coat, rug, or blanket). Douse the person with water.

2.       Call 000 or 911 or what ever your emergency contact is. 

3.       Make sure that the person is no longer in contact with smoldering materials. However, DO NOT remove burnt clothing that is stuck to the skin.

4.       Make sure the person is breathing. If breathing has stopped, or if the person's airway is blocked, open the airway. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.

5.       Cover the burn area with a dry sterile bandage (if available) or clean cloth. A sheet will do if the burned area is large. DO NOT apply any ointments. Avoid breaking burn blisters.

6.       If fingers or toes have been burned, separate them with dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressings.

7.       Elevate the body part that is burned above the level of the heart. Protect the burnt area from pressure and friction.

8.       Take steps to prevent shock. Lay the person flat, elevate the feet about 12 inches, and cover him or her with a coat or blanket. However, DO NOT place the person in this shock position if a head, neck, back, or leg injury is suspected or if it makes the person uncomfortable.

9.       Continue to monitor the person's vital signs until medical help arrives. This means pulse, rate of breathing, and blood pressure.

Burns can be very traumatic and very painful. I wouldn’t/t wish it on anyone. this is the worse pain i have ever felf even worse than labour pains.  When I was younger I had 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 45 % of my body. Because of some idiot playing with methalated spirits. To this day I refuse to keep metho in my home. I was incapacitated for three months, and had to wear a burns suit for 2 years.

Kkep your children safe from burns, turn those pot handles around supervise bath time, be aware of hot drinks.

Thanks for reading

Have a great day

georgie