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Burns and scalds
What is burns & scalds?
Burns are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation or cold, while scalds are burns caused by hot liquids or steam. First aid aims to stop the burning process, cool the burn, protect the area and arrange timely medical review according to severity and location.
Even small burns can be serious if they affect the face, hands, genitals or joints, or if they occur in children or vulnerable adults, and larger or deeper burns can quickly lead to fluid loss, infection and scarring if not managed correctly. Good first aid reduces long-term damage and is a key part of safe working and safeguarding in many environments.
Immediate cooling of a burn with cool running water for at least 20 minutes has been shown to reduce pain, depth of injury and complications, but many people still cool for too short a time or not at all.
Who needs this skill?
Health & Social Care
In health and social care, burns may arise from hot drinks, baths, catering equipment, radiators or medical devices; staff must be alert to patterns that suggest neglect or abuse and follow safeguarding procedures as well as providing prompt first aid. Correct cooling and referral are particularly important for children, older adults and those with reduced sensation or mobility.Licensed venues & nightlife
In nightlife and licensed venues, common sources include hot food and drink, pyrotechnics, stage equipment and crowded smoking areas; venues should plan for burn risks at events and ensure staff can cool burns quickly and document incidents accurately for later review.Schools
Burns in schools often involve hot drinks, cookery, labs and radiators; staff who know how to cool burns properly and judge when hospital care is needed can reduce scarring and avoid unnecessary A&E visits.Workplaces
In workplaces such as catering, manufacturing, laboratories and maintenance, burns are a foreseeable risk and should be addressed in risk assessments, with suitable controls, training and first aid arrangements in place. First aiders should know when a burn can be managed on site and when urgent medical or specialist burns service assessment is needed.How to manage burns & scalds
- 1Stop the burning processRemove the casualty from the source of the burn if it is safe to do so, turn off electricity where possible, and remove any jewellery or loose clothing near the area, cutting around items that are stuck to the skin rather than pulling them off.Ensure your own safety first; do not put yourself at risk from smoke, flames, chemicals or electricity.
- 2Cool the burnCool the burned area with cool (not ice-cold) running water for at least 20 minutes, ideally as soon as possible after the injury, while protecting the rest of the casualty from becoming cold.Do not use ice, creams, oils or home remedies, as these can worsen tissue damage or interfere with later assessment.
- 3Protect the burnAfter cooling, cover the burn with loose, non-fluffy, sterile dressings, cling film applied in layers or a clean plastic bag for hands, avoiding wrapping tightly around limbs or digits.Check circulation beyond any dressing and avoid breaking blisters; intact blisters can help protect underlying tissue.
- 4Assess severity and need for referralConsider the size, depth and location of the burn, the age and health of the casualty and any associated injuries; follow current guidance on when to call 999 or refer urgently, for example for large, deep, facial, airway or circumferential burns, or burns in children.When in doubt, seek medical advice rather than managing significant burns entirely on site.
- 5Monitor and supportWhile waiting for help, monitor breathing and circulation, help the casualty into a comfortable position, keep them warm and provide reassurance, being alert for signs of shock in more serious burns.Document details of the incident, including source, duration of contact and first aid provided, for clinical and legal purposes.
This guide is a learning reference only. It does not replace attended, assessed first aid training.
Qualifying courses
Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF)
2 days
3 years
Common questions
Practical answers for employers, venue managers, and healthcare teams about burns & scalds training.
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Seek urgent medical or A&E assessment for burns that are large, deep, on the face, hands, feet, genitals or over major joints, electrical or chemical burns, any burn in very young or frail people, or burns that cause difficulty breathing or signs of shock. If you are unsure, err on the side of caution and get professional advice.
Inconsistent explanations, delay in seeking help, multiple burns at different stages of healing or burns with a clear ‘pattern’ (such as immersion lines) can be indicators of abuse or neglect. Any suspicions should be documented carefully and escalated through safeguarding processes while ensuring the casualty receives appropriate clinical care.
Chemical burns usually need prolonged irrigation with copious water and removal of contaminated clothing, taking care to protect yourself with PPE and to follow any specific guidance for the substance involved. Eye chemical burns are particularly time-critical and should be irrigated immediately and assessed urgently in hospital.