Electrical
Electrical
Burns
Burns
Electrical burns can be caused by lightning, live wires and
contact with household current.
An electrical injury can cause damage to internal
tissues. The damage can actually be worse
than a burn on the skin.
A person injured by electricity should
ALWAYS seek medical care.
Turn this card over to learn
how you can safely help.
uwhealth.org/burncenter
Electrical
Electrical
Burns
Burns
What should you do?
•Look first. Don’t touch. The person may still be in contact with
an electrical source. If you touch them, the current can pass
through you, causing you to get a shock or burn as well.
•Unplug or turn off the source of electricity, if possible.
If this is not possible, do not touch the victim. Call 911.
•If the person is not still attached to the current, check for
responsiveness and normal breathing. If there is no normal
breathing, begin CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) immediately.
•If responsive and breathing, treat for shock.
Lay the person down and elevate the legs if there is
no trauma. Maintain normal body temperature.
•Cover the affected areas. If the person is breathing,
cover any burned areas with a clean cloth or
plastic covering.
uwhealth.org/burncenter
ES-42820-15
Prevent
Prevent Burns!
Burns!
Lock up dangerous items. Keep out of reach of children.
Keep hot liquids out of reach of children.
Turn down water heaters to less than 120º F.
Check bath temperature with your wrist or elbow before
getting in.
Keep children at least 3 feet away from stoves, outdoor grills,
campfires, and fireplaces.
Don’t let appliance cords dangle where
children can reach them.
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.
Never use gasoline to start a fire.
Protect your skin by using a sunscreen with a
high SPF that protects from UVA and UVB rays.
uwhealth.org/burncenter
What
What to
to do
do if
if
You
You are
are Burned
Burned
Cool it
Cool the burn immediately with room temperature water to lower
the skin temperature and stop the burning process.
Get medical help
Call 911 or go to your local emergency room immediately if it’s
anything more than a minor burn.
Clean it
•Treat a minor burn like you would treat a
minor cut or scrape.
•Wash with soap and water and apply
antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
•Wash the burn and change the bandage
with your daily shower or bath.
•Call your doctor if you have any concerns
with your burn.
uwhealth.org/burncenter
ES-42820-15
campfire
campfire
safety
safety
Always have an adult around. Children should never build a fire alone.
Have plenty of water and a shovel within reach in case the fire
starts to burn outside your fire area.
Pick one person to be in charge of adding wood to the fire.
Keep a safety zone of at least 3 feet when standing around the fire.
Never throw or use flammable liquids on a fire.
Teach everyone how to stop, drop and roll.
Keep the campfire small.
Never throw trash on a fire.
Never leave a campfire. Even a small breeze
could cause the fire to spread.
Before leaving the area, cover the fire with
water, making sure all ashes, coals and sticks
are wet.
uwhealth.org/burncenter
Fireworks
fireworks
safety
safety
Leave the Fireworks to the Pros!
It’s that time of year for warm weather, picnics in the park, and
4th of July celebrations. Keep your family and yourself safe.
NEVER:
•Experiment or make your own fireworks
•Light more than one firework at a time
•Re-light a “dud” firework
•Point or throw fireworks at people
•Carry fireworks in your pocket
Celebrate Safely
Use non-flammable streamers and
noisemakers instead of sparklers.
If your clothing catches on fire STOP, DROP and ROLL until
the fire is out. Then immediately douse in cool water.
uwhealth.org/burncenter
ES-42820-15
protect
protect yourself
yourself
from
from the
the sun
sun
Make sure to wear shoes outside on hot,
sunny days to keep from burning your feet on
the pavement or street.
Apply sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection
factor) of at least 15 every 2 hours.
Wear sunglasses with a UV filter.
Sun exposure can damage your eyes.
Wear a hat and light-colored long sleeves or
pants when possible.
uwhealth.org/burncenter
What to do for sunburn:
•Move out of the sun and take a cool bath
or shower
•Don’t apply creams or lotions
(including numbing medication,
butter or toothpaste) as they may hold
heat inside your skin
•Drink extra fluids for the next few days
following the burn
•Stay out of the sun if possible and keep all sunburned
areas fully covered until healed
Call your doctor if:
•The sunburn forms blisters or is extremely painful
•The sunburn covers a large area of the body
•You notice facial swelling
•You have a fever or severe chills after getting sunburned
•You have a headache, confusion, or a feeling of faintness
•You show signs of dryness (thirst, dry eyes and dry mouth)
uwhealth.org/burncenter
ES-42820-15