52913 DHS safety flip chart 6/1/05 4:27 PM Page 25

Heat burns are caused by flame or high heat; chemical burns are caused by irritating
substances, and electrical burns are caused by electric current.

❏ For All Burns

➔ Remove the victim from further harm;

• In the case of electrical burns, if electrical wires are still touching the
victims skin disconnect the power source, use a non-conducting
material such as heavy cloth, wood or plastic broom stick, or rubber
to move the wires away. NEVER USE AN OBJECT WITH METAL OF
ANY KIND. BEWARE OF PUDDLES OF WATER WHICH MAY CON-
DUCT ELECTRICITY.

• Chemical burns may be caused by toilet bowl cleaners, pool chemi-

cals, etc. Avoid becoming contaminated with chemicals while remov-
ing the victim’s affected clothing and flooding the burn with cool water
for at least 20 minutes using a shower, faucet or hose;

( Activate emergency medical services (911) if the victim has trouble

breathing, if a burn (other than sunburn) covers a large body surface (over
5% of body surface), or if the burn affects the eyes, face, or genitalia;

➔ Cool the burned area immediately with cool running water or clean, cool
cloth;

➔ DO NOT break blisters;

➔ DO NOT apply ointments, butter, fats, or creams;

Document the event, actions taken, calls made and follow-up informa-
tion in the child’s file with a duplicate copy to the parent. Child care pro-
grams should notify their licensing or certifying agency of the event if
treatment by a health care provider is needed or if emergency medical
services are activated.

If you must transport the victim to the nearest emergency hospital, get the help
of another adult. Have the victim lie down and remain quiet while keeping the
burn covered. Monitor breathing. Begin Rescue Breathing if needed.

Burns
➥

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FIRST AID
52913 DHS safety flip chart 6/1/05 4:27 PM Page 26

❏ First Degree Burns: Redness of the skin with pain and mild swelling. Often
caused by sunburn, scalding, or contact with hot
objects;

➔ Cool the burn by submerging in cool water, or with a cool, wet cloth;

➔ Notify parent and recommend attention by the health care provider if a

first degree burn covers more than 10% of the body surface or affects
the face or genitalia;

❏ Second Degree Burns: Deep red skin, visible blisters, pain and raw areas.
Often caused by very deep sunburn, skin contact
with hot liquids, hot objects, flash burns from flam-
mable fluids, chemicals, etc.;

➔ Cool the burn by submerging in cool water, or with a cool, wet cloth;

➔ Activate emergency medical services (911) if victim has difficulty

breathing, or if signs of shock are apparent;

➔ Call the parent to take child for emergency care or transport;

❏ Third Degree Burns: White or charred skin commonly caused by flame, burn-
ing clothing, immersion in scalding water or electricity;

➔ If unconscious, check for breathing. Begin Rescue Breathing if neces-

sary;

( Activate emergency medical services (911);

➔ Have the victim lie down. DO NOT remove burned clothing;

➔ Cool the burn by submerging in cool water, or with a cool, wet cloth;

➔ If hands, feet, or legs are burned, elevate them with pillows, rolled blan-
ket, etc. Remove jewelry, etc;

➔ If you cannot activate emergency services, transport to the nearest

emergency hospital. Monitor breathing. Begin Rescue Breathing if
needed.

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