Bonfire night is just around the corner, and it's important to enjoy the celebrations in a fun and risk-free manner. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RSPA), around 1,000 people visit A&E with a firework related injury in the four weeks around November 5th – and it's thought that many more self-medicate or visit their GP with wounds sustained as part of the celebrations.
Simple knowledge about the treatment of burns can really make a difference when it comes to staying safe this month. Joe Mulligan, head of first aid education at British Red Cross, says:
"Most people don't realise that sparklers reach temperatures five times hotter than cooking oil. Fireworks are safe if carefully handled but we want to make sure people know how to help if someone does get burned.... The key to treating a burn is to cool it down immediately. If you can't get hold of cold water immediately, any cold liquid will do."
In the event that you or someone you know gets burned by a bonfire, fire or firework, adhere to the following first aid steps.
1. Cool the burn under cold running water for at least ten minutes. Cooling the burn will reduce pain, swelling and the risk of scarring. The faster and longer a burn is cooled, the less the impact of the injury.
2. After the burn has been cooled, cover it with cling film or a clean plastic bag. This helps prevent infection by keeping the area clean. Cling film or plastic bags provide an ideal covering because they don't stick to the burn and reduce pain by keeping air from the skin's surface.
3. Call 999 if necessary. The burn may need urgent medical treatment. Always seek medical advice for a baby or child that has been burned.
What if they are burnt through gloves? If someone is burnt through gloves (or other clothing) don't try to remove the glove if it is stuck to the burn. This could cause more damage. Instead, cool the burn through the glove with cold running water for at least ten minutes and seek urgent medical treatment. If the glove is not stuck to the burn, you can remove it.
What if I don't have access to running water? If you're at a bonfire, you may not be within reach of running water. If you don't have water to cool the burn, you can use any cold liquid like juice, beer or milk – the aim is to cool the area as quickly as possible using whatever cold liquid is available.
Switch to cold running water when you have access to it. Get free first aid advice at your fingertips with the British Red Cross app.