First Aid

Good first aid following a burn or scald can make an enormous difference in recovery times and the severity of scarring. Two important things to remember are STOP, DROP and ROLL and COOL, CALL, COVER.

Advice

Stop, Drop and Roll

“Stop, drop, and roll” is used when clothing catches fire. Children can get confused about when to stop, drop, and roll. It is important to know when to do this. Children who do not have a good understanding of stop drop, and roll will sometimes do this if they burn a finger or need to get outside if the smoke alarm sounds. Only use stop, drop, and roll when clothing catches fire.

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Cool, Call, Cover

COOL the burn with cool running water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and jewellery (unless it is melted or firmly stuck to the wound). CALL for help for any burn larger than a 50p coin: 999, 111 or local GP for advice. COVER with cling film or a clean non-fluffy dressing or cloth. Make sure the patient is kept warm.

Watch

First Aid and Prevention

We were invited by the British Burn Association (BBA) to put together a downloadable PDF resource covering the information people should know about burns and scalds. It includes statistics, key prevention and safety information, and highlights the essential first aid that should be carried out in the event of an accident.

Download

Cool, Call, Cover

Watch

“Thank you K, for the 1st aid image that is always attached to your e-mails. It is as a result of this image, that I recently ensured my 1 year old had cool running water over his leg for 20 minutes (not the 5 minutes I thought it was). He had a scald to his leg from fresh boiling water. Initially the entire back of one of his legs was bright red. After first aid, and on re assessment in the Emergency Department, the only area affected was a non tense blister smaller than 1 cm. This has now healed with no scar.”

Message of thanks from an Emergency Department Consultant

Stop, Drop, Roll

Children's Burns Trust ambassador, Krissie Stiles explains that when clothing catches fire, stop what you're doing, drop to the floor and roll.

Survivor stories

Our inspiring Burn Survivors help us to highlight the shocking number of burns and scalds which are happening to children everyday. We thank them all for their wonderful support.