WATCH: household burn prevention and how to safeguard against accidents
Burns are one of the top three causes of accidental injury for Australian kids under five years old and their severity can be minimised if parents and carers jump into immediate action.
Correct first aid measures can make a significant difference in the rehabilitation and long-term outcomes of burns, according to child health organisation Paeds Education.
“Burn injury is one of the most painful and horrific injuries we care for in the ICU,” Paeds education director Sarah Duncanson said.
“Kids wear the scar forever, not just physically but mentally,” she said.
Emma Leonard was living in rural Northern Territory in 2020 when her toddler Billy reached for his bottle and pulled on a jug of scalding hot water causing burns along the length of his arm and down his chest.
“It was so quick. I saw it and just couldn’t get there in time,” she said.
Ms Leonard said her mother was nearby and jumped into action throwing a cool jug of water on the Billy’s arm.
But the burns had him in hours of pain and caused the toddler to lose consciousness momentarily, she said.
He was flown to Darwin for surgery and has healed well over the past three years due to a quick reaction from Ms Leonard and her mother.
“I’m hyperaware of how careful you need to be and how high toddler can reach,” she said.
Prevention and treatment of burns and scalds
The first step is prevention, Ms Duncanson said.
“Get down on your hands and knees and do a ‘child’ scan of your home,” she said.
This helps parents and carers spot any hot items that may be reached by little hands and don’t forget hazards like campfires and hot water bottles.
Scalds, from hot liquids or steam, are the most common cause of burn injury in children, especially in children under the age of two, she said.
After a burn Ms Duncanson recommends removing you and your child from danger as the first course of action.
“And remove any clothing and jewellery from the burn area unless they’re stuck to the skin,” she said.
Don’t forget to remove nappies from small children, she said.
The next step is reducing the burn and putting the affected spot under cool running water for 20 minutes.
Burns continue to heat the skin for up to two to three hours after the cause of the burn has been removed.
Never use ice, oil or butter to cool the burn, Ms Duncanson said.
Wrap the affected area with a clean and non-adhesive dressing such as clingfilm, she said.
This helps dull the pain by protecting raw nerve endings from the open air.
Seek medical attention if the burn or scald is on the face, hands, feet, genitals or buttocks and was larger than a 20 cent coin or has blistered.
June is burns awareness month for the “significantly increased risk” during winter months. More resources are available through Paeds Education and Kidsafe.
