Wound care |

Prevention and first-aid measures for burns

Burns happen to people every day all over the world. But most burns are preventable, and by knowing the best way to treat a burn with first aid it's often possible to reduce their severity.

At Mölnlycke, we work to raise awareness and lower the impact of burns. You can be a part of this movement by learning more about how to act when a burn occurs and how to avoid burns in the first place.

Focus on the first-aid measures

Adequate first-aid measures help to limit the pain and damage to the skin2  due to burns.

  1. Stop the burning process: Remove the burn source and move the person to a safe space
  2. Remove all burnt clothing and jewellery if it will cause constriction
  3. Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 minutes as early as possible after the injury, within 3 hours. Never use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter
  4. Cover the burn loosely with a non-adherent simple dressing or cling film
  5. Keep the person warm: Wrap the body in a clean dry blanket
  6. Seek medical advice

Burns

 

Burns are preventable

Burns can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time. It’s important to note that burns are preventable, though, and some simple measures can be taken to prevent burns and scalds from happening:

  • Lower the temperature in hot water taps
  • Keep hot drinks away from table/counter edges, out of reach of young children
  • Establish a 'kid-free zone' of at least 1 meter around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared and carried
  • Use a kettle with a short cord to stop it hanging over the edge of the work surface, where it could be grabbed
  • Do not drink hot liquids through a straw
  • Turn the handles of pans inward


Burns


More safety tips to prevent burns can be found on the
burns prevention poster:

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