Be a burns hero
Monday 17th October 2016

Queen Victoria Hospital is reminding people of the importance of administering the right first aid for burns and scalds, as part of National Burns Awareness Day on 19 October.
Around 200 people from across the South East are admitted to the region’s specialist burns unit each year, with a further 1,000 patients referred for specialist burns treatment. It is estimated that 300 people a day are seen with a burn in A&E departments across England and Wales.
While most burns are usually minor, giving the right first aid quickly following a burn or a scald can significantly improve a person’s recovery time and limit the severity of any scarring.
But more than half of all children and adults with a burn injury do not receive appropriate first aid at the scene.
People can make a real difference to someone’s recovery from a burn by remembering to “Cool, Call and Cover”:
- Cool the burn with running cold tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and jewellery (unless it is melted or firmly struck to the wound)
- Call for help – you can call the NHS 111 service for initial advice on treating burns or call your local GP. In an emergency, call 999.
- Cover the burn with cling film or a sterile, non-fluffy dressing or cloth. Make sure the patient is kept warm
Commenting, Krissie Stiles, burns care advisor, said: “Children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to household burns and scalds and it is important that everyone knows what to do if they, or someone else suffers a burn.
“The most important first aider is the person already present at the scene of the burn injury; giving the right first aid quickly following a burn or a scald can make an enormous difference to a person’s recovery time and the severity of their scarring.”
Notes
- 42 per cent of those needing specialist burns care are children, with hot drinks the most common cause of scald injury in children, followed by contact with electric cookers, hair straighteners, irons and central heating radiators
- The elderly are most often burnt by contact with central heating radiators or baths that are too hot. Adults are also at risk of burns from hot fat, barbecues and bonfires – never try to speed up your barbecue with petrol or other flammable accelerants.
- Kitchens are most common place for burns to happen
- 300 people a day are seen with a burn in Emergency Departments across England and Wales
- Around 200 people from across the South East are admitted to the region’s specialist burns unit at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead each year, with a further 1,000 patients referred to the unit for specialist burns treatment each year.
- Specialist burns care advisor Krissie Stiles can be seen giving advice on the Queen Victoria Hospital You-Tube channel at https://youtu.be/zExT8eNLnR0
- For media enquiries, please contact Clare Pirie 07717 806680, clarepirie@nhs.net