20/12/2025
At this time of year, searches on the NHS website for information about treating burns rise sharply and itโs easy to see why.
Itโs Christmas. The house is full, there are children running around enjoying their new toys, youโre having a glass of Bucks Fizz and preparing the veg when you trip over an excited child at your feet, or some discarded packaging and before you know it, the pan or oven tray you were carrying has spilled or landed on you or someone else.
Itโs so easily done at this busy time of year when our minds are on a million things and attention is divided.
If you, or someone in your home gets a scald or burn this festive season, hereโs what to do:
- Stop the burning process as quickly as you can. This might mean removing the person from the area, or smothering or dousing flames with water.
- Remove any clothing or jewellery near the burn, including nappies, unless they are stuck to the skin.
- Cool the burn by running it under cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes.
- NEVER put creams, lotions, ice or iced water on a burn.
- Keep the person who has been burned warm with blankets or layers of clothing while cooling the burn.
- Cover the burn with cling film by laying the film on top.
- Give age-appropriate dosage of paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- If the burn is on a child under the age of 10, is bigger than a 50p piece or is on the face, neck, hands, feet, joints or ge****ls - see medical help.
Stay vigilant and safe this festive period. Prevention is preferable to treatment.
For more help with accident prevention tips, come and take a babyproofing class with us - all you need to know about keeping your baby and toddler safe in the home. Find out more on the parent & carer classes page on our website.
๐ป https://southport.minifirstaid.co.uk/
