It's important to remember that most burns that occur at home are preventable. Here are some tips from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to lessen the chance of a burn happening in your home.- Set your water heater thermostat no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Supervise children in kitchen. Turn pot handles out of reach when cooking.
- In the bathroom, check the temperature of the bath water before getting into the tub. Never leave a child or infant unattended in the bathroom.
- When child-proofing your home, cover unused electric outlets (sockets) with safety plugs to reduce risk of electric shock.
- Don't allow children to use electrical appliances.
Minor or first degree burns are red, dry and painful. The skin is intact, as with a sunburn, and there are no open sores. Occasionally there are blisters.
Immediately immerse burn areas in cool-not cold-water. Don't break blisters or use any home remedies such as ice, butter or toothpaste. After cleansing, a mild antibiotic ointment and bandage can be applied. Keep the area clean and dry to avoid infection. Dr. Elaine Josephson of the American College of Emergency Physicians says, "If treating burns at home, it is essential that you follow up with a doctor when a burn wound is not healing."
In addition, some sunburns are associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
Second-degree burns are red, pink or mottled. They are very painful and the skin is often blistered. Third degree burns are white, brown, black or charred. They can feel painless or numb. Both types require immediate professional medical attention.
When serious burns occur:
- Remove person from danger. Use drop and roll method to smother any flames. However, do not remove any clothing embedded in the burn.
- If the person is not breathing, perform CPR if possible.
- Raise burned arms or legs higher than the person's heart.
- Cover the burn victim with cool wet cloth. Do not apply any home remedies. Do not break blisters or remove burned skin.
- Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) represents more than 19,000 physicians who specialize in emergency medicine. ACEP is dedicated to improving emergency care through continuing education, research and public education.(NAPSI)
