FIRST AID FOR
BURNS
Know the types and the
treatments
Objective
• To know the different types of
burns and appropriate treatment
procedures
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background
• Burns result from everyday things
and activities
• Most common causes
• Scalds, fire, chemicals, electricity and
overexposure to the sun
• Some burns may be more serious
than others
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Severity of burns
• Severity is based on the depth of
the burn
• First-degree burns: least severe
• Third-degree burns: most severe
• Call 911 or seek medical attention if
unsure of the severity of the burn
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Severity of burns
• All burns are susceptible to tetanus
(lockjaw)
• Treatment for burns depends on
type, severity and size
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Minor burns
First- and second-degree burns no
larger than 3” in diameter
• Cool the burn
• Hold under cold running tap water until
the area is free from pain even after
removal from the water
• If not possible, cool with a cold
compress
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Minor burns
First- and second-degree burns no
larger than 3” in diameter
• Cover burn with sterile non-stick
cotton
• Other materials may stick/get lint in
wound
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Minor burns
First- and second-degree burns no
larger than 3” in diameter
• Wrap bandage loosely to avoid
putting pressure on burned skin
• Reduces pain, protects blistered skin,
and helps prevent infection
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Minor burns
First- and second-degree burns no
larger than 3” in diameter
• Report the incident to your
immediate supervisor
• A pain reliever can be taken
• This is under the direction of the victim
and should not be provided by the
employer
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Important “Don’t”s
• DON’T use ice
• Can cause further damage to wound
• DON’T apply butter or ointments
• Can increase severity of burn
• DON’T break blisters
• Broken blisters are more vulnerable to
infection
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Major/severe burns
Third-degree burns larger than
3” in diameter
• If unsure about the depth of the
burn, treat it as severe
• Call 911 or your local
emergency number immediately
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Major/severe burns
Third-degree burns larger than
3” in diameter
• Do not remove clothing that is stuck
to the skin
• However, do make sure the victim is no
longer in contact with smoldering
materials or exposed smoke or heat
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Major/severe burns
Third-degree burns larger than
3” in diameter
• Do not immerse large severe burns
in cold water
• Could cause drop in body temperature
(hypothermia) and deteriorate blood
pressure and circulation, causing shock
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Major/severe burns
Third-degree burns larger than
3” in diameter
• Check for responsiveness and signs
of normal breathing
• If none, begin CPR (cardiopulmonary
resuscitation)
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Major/severe burns
Third-degree burns larger than
3” in diameter
• Treat for shock
• Have victim lie on their back
• Elevate legs if no trauma
• Maintain normal body temperature
(cover with a sheet or blanket)
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Electrical burns
• Victims of electrical burns should
always seek medical care
• While waiting for medical care
• Look first, don’t touch
• May still be in contact with an electrical
source
• Current can pass through to you if you
touch them
•
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Electrical burns
• While waiting for medical care
• Unplug or turn off the source of
electricity, if possible
• If not possible, do not touch the victim
• Call 911
• Check for responsiveness and normal
breathing
• If none, begin CPR immediately
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Electrical burns
• While waiting for medical care
• If responsive and breathing, treat for
shock
• Lay the victim on their back and elevate
the legs (if there is no trauma)
• Maintain normal body temperature
(cover with a sheet or blanket)
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Electrical burns
• Cover the affected areas
• If victim is breathing, cover burned
areas with a sterile, non-stick blanket
or towel
• Loose fibers can stick to the burns
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Chemical burns
• Identify the chemical
• Check the material safety data sheet
(MSDS) for this information
• Move the victim away from fumes or
ventilate the area
• With gloved hand or piece of cloth,
brush off any dry chemical
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Chemical burns
• Remove clothing and jewelry from
the burn area
• Flush entire area as quickly as
possible with large amounts of
running water
• Flush until EMS personnel arrive to give
definitive care or until a topic-specific
solution is available
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Chemical burns
• Contact the Poison Control Center
or 911
• Many chemical burns may be treated
with local wound care
• Some chemicals can cause life- and
limb-threatening injuries and need
emergency care
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Chemical burns
• Victims with chemical burns to their
eyes should always seek emergency
care
• Flush eye with large amount of running
water (at least 15 minutes of
continuous flowing water) until
Emergency Medical Service arrives
• Remove any contact lenses
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
US National Poison Hotline
• Call 1-800-222-1222
• You will be automatically linked to your
closest poison control center
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Sunburns
• Take a cold shower or bath, or place
cool cloths on your burn
• Avoid using creams that contain
benzocaine, lidocaine and petroleum
(Vaseline)
• Use dry bandages to help prevent
infection of blisters
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Sunburns
• If no blisters, use aloe vera to
relieve discomfort
• Adults can use medications like
ibuprofen to relive some of the pain
from the burn
• This is under the direction of the victim
and should not be provided by the
employer
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Review
• The severity of the burn is based on
the depth of the burn
• If unsure about depth, treat as severe
• Treatment depends on type, severity
and size
• Ice, butter and ointments can cause
additional damage to burns
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Review
• Take care not to break any blisters
• Always call 911 for major/severe
burns
• Don’t touch someone with an
electrical burn until you’re sure the
source is turned off
• Contact the poison control center or
call 911 for chemical burns
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.