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Paediatric burns and scalds
What is paediatric burns & scalds?
Paediatric burns include scalds from hot drinks and baths, contact burns from radiators and irons, flame burns, electrical injuries and chemical burns; they may be small but deep, or large and superficial. First aiders must remove the heat source, cool the burn with running water, protect the area with appropriate dressings and recognise which burns need 999 or rapid ED or burns-service assessment based on size, depth and location.
Burns and scalds in children, especially from common hazards like hot drinks, bath water, cooking and heating appliances, can cause deep tissue damage quickly and often affect visible, functionally important areas such as the face, hands and joints. Prompt cooling with cool running water, appropriate covering and a clear understanding of which patterns need urgent hospital or burns-service care are central to limiting scarring, infection and long-term loss of function.
Children’s skin is thinner than adults’, so hot liquids, fats, steam and chemicals can cause deeper burns more quickly, and many paediatric burns should be assessed in specialist services rather than managed at home.
Who needs this skill?
Health & Social Care
In health and social care settings, scalds and contact burns may indicate both accidental and non-accidental injuries; staff must follow guidance on immediate cooling, analgesia and rapid transfer, and must escalate safeguarding concerns where patterns suggest neglect or deliberate harm.Licensed venues & nightlife
Licensed venues serving hot food and drink, running kitchens or hosting fireworks or outdoor events must take burns and scalds risks seriously; clear controls, staff training and documented incident responses are important both clinically and legally.Schools
Schools and early years providers are repeatedly reminded about scald risks from hot drinks and bath water and about the safeguarding implications of certain burn and scald patterns; having clear, practised burns protocols is a marker of good health and safety practice.Workplaces
In workplaces and leisure venues, common risks include hot drinks, catering equipment, fireworks and barbecues; first aiders should know where to access cool running water, how to remove hot clothing and jewellery safely and how to dress burns without sticking dressings to the wound surface.How to manage paediatric burns & scalds
- 1Make the area safe and remove the heat sourceStop the burning process by switching off electricity if safe, moving the child away from hot surfaces or liquids, and removing smouldering clothing or jewellery near the burn. Do not put yourself at risk by reaching into unsafe areas or handling live electrical sources.Stopping the burning process quickly reduces burn depth; safety for rescuers remains the first priority.
- 2Cool the burn with cool running waterPlace the burned area under cool or lukewarm running water for at least 20 minutes, ideally as soon as possible after the burn, while keeping the rest of the child warm. Do not use ice, creams, oils or home remedies, as these can worsen tissue damage and complicate later treatment.Effective cooling is the single most important first aid measure for burns according to modern guidance; it reduces pain and limits tissue damage.
- 3Protect the burn with appropriate dressingsAfter cooling, gently remove jewellery and loose clothing around the area if they are not stuck; cover the burn loosely with cling film applied lengthways, or a sterile, non-fluffy dressing. Do not burst blisters or remove stuck clothing or deeply embedded materials.Covering the burn reduces infection risk and pain while allowing clinicians to assess the injury properly.
- 4Assess size, depth and location and escalate appropriatelyBurns involving the face, hands, feet, genitals, major joints, large areas of the body, or that appear deep, white, charred or painless should prompt urgent medical assessment or 999, particularly in infants and young children. Suspected inhalation injuries or electrical burns also require immediate hospital assessment.These criteria are aligned with NHS and burns-network guidance on when burns require specialist or emergency care rather than routine GP review.
- 5Monitor, document and consider safeguardingMonitor the child for signs of shock, breathing problems or airway involvement and document what happened, what was done and any advice given. Where burn patterns are unusual, well-demarcated, or inconsistent with the history, follow safeguarding procedures and escalate concerns to appropriate leads while ensuring the child receives urgent clinical care.Burns are a recognised marker of possible abuse or neglect; clear documentation and safeguarding pathways are essential alongside good clinical first aid.
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
Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF) & Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) - Combined
3 days
3 years
Common questions
Practical answers for employers, venue managers, and healthcare teams about paediatric burns & scalds training.
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