Burn Prevention, First Aid and Calling 911

For some at-risk groups, like children, older adults and people with disabilities, a burn or scald can be a devastating injury.

Did you know:

Every 60 seconds someone in the United States sustains a burn injury serious enough to require treatment.

Source: American Burn Association PDF

Encourage burn and scald prevention, and proper first aid for these injuries, in your community with these messages and free materials.

Messages to share

Click to copy message.

Prevent burns and scalds in the kitchen

Place objects so that they cannot be pulled down or knocked over.

Turn pot handles away from the stove’s edge.

Use dry oven mitts or potholders. Hot cookware can heat moisture in a potholder or hot pad, resulting in a scald burn.

Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.

Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove.

Prevent burns from outdoor activities

Wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking on the grill.

Use long-handled barbecue tools.

Keep a 3-foot safe zone around grills, fire pits and campfires.

Attend public fireworks displays; this leaves the lighting to the professionals.

General first aid for burns and scalds

Treat a burn right away by putting it in cool water for 3 to 5 minutes.

Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth. Do not apply creams, ointments, sprays or other home remedies.

Remove all clothing, diapers, jewelry and metal from the burned area. These can hide underlying burns and retain heat, which can increase skin damage.

See your doctor or call 911 if the burn is larger than your palm.

Calling 911

When in doubt, call 911. Don’t wait to call 911 or your local emergency number for medical help. Seconds count.

Make sure everyone in your home knows how to call 911 and give the dispatcher the address.

Make sure your house number can be seen from the road so emergency responders can quickly find you.

Social media graphics and stock photos

Pictographs

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate safety messages to high-risk populations.