Burns – cool correctly, do not burst blisters
Hot water, a pan, a candle – burns happen quickly, especially when you cook with gas or an open flame during a power cut. Here is how to help correctly.
Straight away
- Protect yourself: Move the person away from the source of heat without putting yourself in danger.
- Burning clothes: Stop the person from running. Put out the flames with water, smother them with a blanket or have the person roll on the ground.
- Cool: with cool, not ice-cold water, according to the German Red Cross for at least 20 minutes. Cool burns on the face with damp cloths and keep the airway free.
- Cover loosely: with a dry, sterile dressing or with cling film.
- Keep warm: Burns disturb the body's temperature control. Watch out for hypothermia, especially with large burns and with babies and small children.
Please don't
- no home remedies
- do not burst blisters
- do not pull off clothing that is stuck to the skin
- do not wrap the wound tightly, only cover it loosely
When you need the emergency number
The German Red Cross counts the emergency call (144 in Austria, 112 in Germany) among the standard steps for burns – especially for large areas, for children and whenever you are unsure. With burns to the face, watch for swelling in the mouth and throat and for difficulty breathing: the person may have breathed in flames or hot gases.
According to the German Red Cross, even smaller burns should be seen by a doctor.