Burns
If a person has suffered a burn, they may need your help and you may need to call an ambulance. You can start first aid for burns once the area where the accident occurred has been made safe.
Causes of burns and what to do first
Fire
If there is fire, put it out.
Stop, drop and roll the person on the ground until the fire is out.
If the fire is in a pan on a stove, remove it from the heat and cover it with something like a lid or chopping board. Do not try to carry it outside.
Electrical
If the cause is electrical, turn the power off.
Water (scalding)
If the cause is hot water (scalding), remove any clothing near the burned area of skin.
Chemical
If the cause is chemical, remove whatever is causing the burn.
For most chemical burns:
- immediately run water over the burn
- keep running water over it until a healthcare provider tells you to stop.
If the burn involves an elemental metal (lithium, potassium, sodium or magnesium) do not run water over it. Water can cause a chemical reaction that makes the burn worse. Instead, soak the burn with mineral oil while waiting for medical attention.
If you work with chemicals, your workplace may have a management plan for exposure to certain chemicals you can follow.
Cool the burn for 20 minutes
Cooling the burn stops it doing more damage and it helps the pain. Cool the burn immediately, if possible, after making sure the area is safe and calling for help if needed.
You can start cooling a burn up to 3 hours after the injury.
- Put the burn under a running, cold water tap for 20 minutes — unless it is an elemental metal chemical burn (see above).
- Stand under a cold shower if the burn is on the body or back.
- Do not use ice or iced water.
If water is not available, soak the area in a cool, clean liquid or use a burn gel. Do not use oils, as they can keep the heat in.
Keep the person warm to prevent hypothermia. Tamariki (children) aged under one do not shiver, so make sure you keep them warm.
Remove any clothing over the burn.
Remove any jewellery and watches, before the area swells.
Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what to do for ongoing treatment.
Cover the burn
Covering the burn helps to prevent infection and decrease pain.
- Use a clean, non-stick dressing or cling wrap (like Glad Wrap). If you do not have these, use a clean, non-fluffy covering like a sheet.
- Make sure the covering is loose, as the burned area may swell. If the covering is too tight, it could cut off blood circulation.
- If you use a dressing, keep it in place with loose cling wrap or a loose bandage.
- If the burn is to an arm or leg, keep it raised to reduce swelling.
- If the burn is on the face or neck, keep the person upright rather than lying down.
Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what to do for ongoing treatment.
Get help
Call 111 for an ambulance if you are worried about a more severe injury, especially with electrical injuries, large burns or when the person has breathed in smoke.
Take the person to a healthcare provider when:
- a child or older person is burned
- the burn is large (bigger than the palm of the person's hand)
- the burn forms blisters
- the burn is on the face, hands, feet, genitals, joints or eyes
- the burn is electrical (the damage can be more serious than it looks — internal or under the skin)
- the burn is chemical
- the person might have breathed in smoke or toxic gas
- the burn goes the whole way around part of the body, such as an arm, leg or neck
- the person is not up to date with their tetanus immunisation
- you have any concerns.