15/10/2025
🔥It's National Burns Awareness Day 🔥A day highlighting how easily burns and scalds can happen, and how we can all help prevent and treat them safely.
👶 Children are especially at risk of burns as their skin is more delicate and they are less aware of danger. According to the Children’s Burns Trust, 9,244 children were seriously burned in 2024 (and that doesn’t include A&E attendances, only the more serious injuries).
☕ Hot drinks are the leading cause of burns to children. Every day, 30 children are burnt by a hot drink. Even 15 minutes after being made, a hot drink can still scald, so always keep them out of reach of little hands.
💧 If a burn or scald does occur follow this trusted advice from the NHS:
Stop the burning process as soon as possible (remove from the source, smother flames, etc.).
Remove clothing or jewellery from around the burn (but don’t try to remove anything stuck to the skin).
Cool the burn under cool (not cold or icy) running water for 20 minutes, as soon as you can.
Avoid using ice, ointments, creams, butter or greasy substances as these can cause more harm.
Keep the person warm, but avoid covering the burned area with blankets or clothing.
Cover the burn with cling film (or a clean, non-fluffy dressing) loosely, not wrapped tightly.
Give pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following dosage instructions. (Avoid aspirin for children < 16)
Raise the affected area (if possible) to help reduce swelling.
⚠️ When to seek hospital care / emergency help:
You should go to A&E for:
• Burns larger than the person’s hand
• Deep burns (white, charred skin)
• Burns on face, hands, feet, joints or ge***al areas
• Chemical or electrical burns
• Signs of shock (cold, clammy skin, dizziness, weakness)
Also seek care if the person is a small child, has underlying health issues, or you’re unsure about the severity.
For more information and safety advice, check the Children’s Burns Trust page https://www.facebook.com/childrensburnstrust/?locale=en_GB
Let’s do all we can to reduce preventable burns.
