Category: general

For all medical emergencies dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Ambulance.

Burns can cause extreme pain and scarring. Learn how to minimise the risk of burns by following this simple advice.

Preventing Burns

Check bath water before placing a child in the bath to ensure it is a safe temperature.
Do not smoke around children but if you do, always make sure cigarettes are extinguished.
Never leave children alone in a bath.
Install fire guards on open fires and heaters.
Keep hot liquids out of children’s reach. A hot cup of coffee or tea can cause severe burns.
Dress children in garments marked ‘Low Fire Danger’ and avoid loose fitting clothes.
Do not leave saucepan handles hanging over the edge of a stove.
Never leave fires or heaters unattended.
Never leave children unattended in a room with a fire.
Have fire extinguishers and fire blankets easily accessible in the house.
Develop a simple fire escape plan for your household and make sure it is displayed in a prominent position.
Teach children fire safety from an early age.
Install and regularly check smoke detectors.

If a person is burnt

Dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Ambulance.
Cool the burn area constantly with plenty of cool running water while waiting for the Ambulance.
This should be done for no less than 20 minutes.
DO NOT apply ointment, cream or butter to the affected area.
If possible remove rings and jewellery from burn areas.

First steps when a burn happens

A burn is an injury to the skin from something hot – a heater, oven, hot drink or boiling water in a kettle or saucepan. Scalds are the most common burn among children. They’re caused by hot liquids.
If your child gets a burn or scald, first make sure the area is safe and there is no risk of further injury to your child or yourself. Take your child to a safe place if possible.
If the burn or scald is over your child’s clothing, remove the clothing immediately, if it isn’t stuck to the burn. Remove watches or jewellery. Leave any blisters alone.

First aid treatment

Treat the burn under running water for 20 minutes. Do this straight away. This treatment is still useful up to three hours after the burn.
Cool the burn, not the child. If the burn is large, stop cooling it after 20 minutes. This is because hypothermia can happen quickly in children.
Cover the burn with a loose, light, non-sticky dressing such as plastic wrap or a clean, wet cloth. Raise burned limbs.

When to get medical attention

Don’t apply ice, iced water, lotions, moisturisers, oil, ointments, creams or powders to the burn. Butter or flour can make the damage worse.
Call an ambulance if the burn is to your child’s face, airway, hands or genitals, or if the burn is larger than the size of your child’s hand.
Go to a doctor or hospital if the burn is the size of a 20-cent piece or larger, or if it’s deep, raw, angry or blistered. Also go if the pain persists or is severe, or you’re not sure how bad the burn is.

For all medical emergencies dial Triple Zero (000) immediately and ask for Ambulance

https://www.austfirstaid.com.au/fact-sheets/burns/

Dehydration – Seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve or are severe

Symptoms
Mild to severe thirst (remember that thirst is satisfied before fluid loss is fully replaced).
Dry lips and tongue.
Slowed mental function and lowered performance.
Reduced or dark urine output.

First aid for dehydration

Drink water. Avoid caffeinated, carbonated and alcoholic drinks, and salt tablets.
Loosen tight clothing and remove unnecessary clothing, including Personal Protective Equipment [PPE].
In cases of extreme heat or dehydration, replace electrolytes.

Heat rash – Seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve

Symptoms
Itchy rash with small raised red spots on the face, neck, back, chest or thighs.

First aid for heat rash

Move to a cooler, less humid environment.
Keep the affected area dry and remove unnecessary clothing, including PPE.
Apply a cold compress.

Heat cramps – Seek medical advice if symptoms don’t improve

Symptoms
Painful and often incapacitating cramps in muscles, particularly when undertaking demanding physical work.

First aid for heat cramps

Stop activity and rest quietly in a cool place until recovered.
Drink an electrolyte solution.

Fainting – Seek medical advice

Symptoms
Fainting (heat syncope) can occur while standing or rising from a sitting position.

First aid for fainting

Lie the person flat immediately with their legs slightly raised.
Do not raise the head.
Treat as for heat exhaustion.

Heat exhaustion – Call an ambulance immediately

Symptoms (not all will be present)
Dehydration, thirst, and reduced or dark urine output.
Sweating.
Elevated body temperature.
Weakness or fatigue.
Headaches and dizziness.
Nausea.
Muscle cramps.
Severe symptoms:
The person stops sweating.
Cold, pale or clammy skin.
Clumsiness or slower reaction times.
Disorientation or impaired judgement.
Rapid or short breathing.
Rapid weak pulse or heart palpitations.
Tingling or numbness in fingers or toes.
Visual disturbance.
Vomiting or an unwillingness to drink.

First aid for heat exhaustion

Move the person to a cool place with circulating air.
Lie the person flat.
Remove unnecessary clothing, including PPE.
Loosen tight clothing.
If the person is fully conscious sit them up to facilitate drinking and provide cool – not cold – fluid to drink.
Provide an electrolyte solution or water.
Cool the person with cold compresses or apply cold water to skin.
Observe the person and obtain medical advice if symptoms don’t improve.
Seek medical assistance if there is no improvement or the first-aider is in doubt.

Heat stroke – Call an ambulance immediately

Symptoms (not all will be present)
The person stops sweating.
Skin can be pink, warm and dry, or cool and blue.
High body temperature above 39 degrees Celsius.
Cramps.
Pounding, rapid pulse.
Headache, dizziness and visual disturbances.
Nausea and/or vomiting.
Clumsiness or slower reaction times.
Disorientation or impaired judgement.
Irritability and mental confusion.
Collapse, seizures and unconsciousness.
Cardiac arrest. Can be characterised by unconsciousness, stopped breathing and no pulse

First aid for heat stroke

Call 000 and evacuate by ambulance immediately.
Ensure that the ambulance is updated if the person experiences seizures or becomes unconscious.
If cardiac arrest occurs follow DRSABCD action plan
Move the person to a cool place with circulating air.
Remove unnecessary clothing, including PPE
Loosen tight clothing.
Cool the person by splashing room temperature water on their skin or sponging their skin with a damp cloth.
Make a wind tunnel by suspending sheets around, not on, the person’s body. Use a fan to direct gentle airflow over the person’s body.
Apply cold packs or wrapped ice to the person’s neck, groin and armpits.
If the person is fully conscious sit them up to facilitate drinking and provide cool – not cold – fluid to drink.
Provide an electrolyte solution with sugar. Do not attempt to give oral fluid if the person is not fully conscious.
Shivering is an automatic muscular reaction which warms the body. It will make the body temperature rise even further. If the person starts shivering, stop cooling immediately and cover them until they stop. Once they have stopped recommence first aid treatment.
Related materials

Guidance material: Guide for managing the risks of working in heat
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/doc/first-aid-heat-related-illness