Families For Life | Burns and Scalds First Aid-Young Children
Burns and scalds can happen quickly at home, especially around hot drinks, cooking areas and bath time. Knowing what to do straight away can help reduce pain and prevent the injury from becoming worse.
If you are unsure how serious a burn is, seek medical attention immediately. The most important first aid treatment is to cool the burn with cool running water.
What to Do if Your Child is Burned
First, move your child away from the source of the burn and make sure the area is safe.
If possible, gently remove any clothing, nappies or jewellery near the burn. Do not try to remove anything that is stuck to the skin.
Place the burned area under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible. This helps to reduce pain, swelling and damage to the skin.
After cooling the burn, loosely cover it with a clean, non-stick dressing, plastic wrap or a clean plastic bag. If an arm or leg is affected, keep it raised to reduce swelling.
Keep your child warm with a light blanket while monitoring them and seeking medical care if needed.
When to Call 995
Call an ambulance immediately if the burn:
Affects the face, hands or genital area
Is inside the mouth, nose or throat
Covers a large area
When to See a Doctor
Bring your child to a doctor or emergency department if the burn:
Is larger than a 20-cent coin
Appears deep, white or charred
Has blisters or looks severely inflamed
Causes severe pain or pain that does not improve
What Not to Do
Avoid these common mistakes:
Do not pull away clothing that is stuck to the burn.
Do not burst any blisters.
Do not apply ice, toothpaste, butter, oils, creams, powders or other home remedies. These can damage the skin further.
Do not cool large burns for more than 20 minutes, as young children can lose body heat quickly.
Keeping Children Safe
Many burns and scalds can be prevented by keeping hot drinks and food out of reach, turning pot handles away from the edge of the stove, and checking bath water temperature before your child gets in.
Acting quickly and using the right first aid can make a big difference to your child's recovery.
Key Takeaway
Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes, cover it with a clean non-stick dressing, and seek medical help if the burn is large, deep, blistered, or affects sensitive areas such as the face, hands or airway. This simple response can help reduce injury and support healing.