Australian quick reference
Burns and scalds
The first steps for thermal burns, scalds and common household burns.
The short answer
Stop the burning process and cool a thermal burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Call 000 for significant, airway, electrical or chemical burns.
Stop, cool, cover
Which burn pathway applies?
Remove the person from danger if safe. For heat and scald burns, use cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Call Triple Zero (000) for significant burns or any airway, electrical or serious chemical danger.
| What happened | Do next |
|---|---|
| Heat or scald burn | Stop the burning process, cool under cool running water for at least 20 minutes, remove loose jewellery or wet clothing if not stuck, then cover loosely with a clean non-stick dressing. |
| Chemical burn | Avoid contact, brush off dry powder if safe, remove contaminated clothing and flush with running water for at least 20 minutes, up to 60 minutes. Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26; do not neutralise the chemical or apply cling film. |
| Electrical burn or shock | Turn off the power without touching the person if safe. Keep at least 10 metres from high-voltage wires or equipment, call 000 and start CPR if they are unresponsive and not breathing normally. Cool only when safe. |
| Significant or airway burn | Call 000 for breathing difficulty, smoke inhalation, facial or airway burns, large/deep/extensive burns, electrical or significant chemical burns, or serious collapse. Keep the rest of the person warm while cooling the burn. |
Four things to remember
See the next decision
These visual cues are a memory aid. In a real emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and follow the call-taker's instructions.
Remove the person from danger and stop the burning process if safe to do so.
A burn may be red and painful, blistered, pale, leathery or numb.
Do not use ice, butter, creams or household remedies.
Call 000 for airway or facial burns, breathing difficulty or smoke inhalation, large/deep/extensive burns, electrical burns, significant chemical burns, or serious pain, collapse or other major injury.
Illustrated field notes
See the situation, then choose the next safe action
These original illustrations support recall. They are not a substitute for the written steps, a current first-aid course or the Triple Zero (000) call-taker.
Stop the burning process and cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes.
Remove loose jewellery and clothing near the burn; do not pull away stuck clothing.
Call 000 for airway, extensive, deep, chemical or electrical burns.
Keep the person warm and the cooled burn lightly covered while help takes over.
Visual memory cue
See the pattern before you practise
Use this simple visual reminder alongside the written steps. In a real emergency, call Triple Zero (000) and follow the call-taker's instructions.
Stop the burn, cool it under running water, then cover it with a clean non-stick dressing.
01
What to do first
- Remove the person from danger and stop the burning process if safe to do so.
- For a heat or scald burn, cool it under cool running water for at least 20 minutes as soon as possible.
- Remove rings, watches, jewellery and loose wet clothing near the burn if they are not stuck to the skin.
- Cover a cooled thermal burn with a light, loose, non-stick dressing or plastic wrap laid over it; do not wrap a limb or cover the face.
- For chemical or electrical burns, use the specific safety branch, call 000 or the Poisons Information Centre as appropriate, and seek urgent medical help.
02
What to avoid
- Do not use ice, butter, creams or household remedies.
- Do not burst blisters or pull away clothing stuck to the skin.
- Do not touch live electrical sources or enter a high-voltage scene.
- Do not neutralise a chemical with another chemical or apply cling film to a chemical burn.
- Do not let a child become cold while cooling the burn.
03
When to call 000
- Call 000 for airway or facial burns, breathing difficulty or smoke inhalation, large/deep/extensive burns, electrical burns, significant chemical burns, or serious pain, collapse or other major injury.
04
What to monitor
- Keep the rest of the person warm, monitor breathing and response, and continue cooling while arranging help.
Recognition cues
What you may notice
- A burn may be red and painful, blistered, pale, leathery or numb.
- Scalds often affect larger areas than the person first notices.
- Electrical, chemical, airway, facial, hand, genital or extensive burns need urgent assessment.
Avoid these traps
Common mistakes
- Using ice, butter, toothpaste, creams or other household remedies.
- Pulling away clothing stuck to the skin or bursting blisters.
- Wrapping plastic film tightly around a limb or covering a chemical burn with cling film.
- Leaving a child cold while cooling the burn or entering an unsafe electrical or toxic scene.
Children cool quickly. Cool the burn but keep the rest of the child warm and seek assessment early for larger, deeper or blistered burns. Use cool running water for at least 20 minutes for a thermal burn, while keeping the child supported and supervised. Call 000 for breathing difficulty, facial or airway burns, significant electrical or chemical exposure, collapse or a large/deep burn.
When help is on the way
Keep the handover useful
- Keep the rest of the person warm while the burn is cooled and lightly covered.
- Tell the ambulance crew what caused the burn, how long it was cooled, whether chemicals or electricity were involved and what safety steps were taken.
Practise the pattern
Make it easier to remember
Common questions
Quick answers
Should I use ice?
No. Use cool running water for at least 20 minutes instead; ice can damage the skin further.
What about a chemical burn?
Brush off dry powder if safe, remove contaminated clothing, flush with running water for at least 20 minutes and call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. Do not neutralise the chemical.
What about an electrical burn?
Turn off the power without touching the person if safe. Keep clear of high-voltage sources, call 000 and cool the burn only when safe.
Can I use ice on a burn?
No. Use cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Ice can worsen tissue damage, and creams or household remedies can interfere with assessment.
What if the burn is chemical?
Avoid contact, brush off dry powder if safe, remove contaminated clothing and flush with running water for at least 20 minutes. Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 and do not neutralise the chemical.
What if the burn is electrical?
Turn off the power without touching the person if safe. Keep clear of high-voltage sources, call 000 and cool the burn only when safe. Electrical injuries need medical assessment.
How long should I cool a burn?
Use cool running water for at least 20 minutes as soon as possible. Cooling may still help up to 3 hours after the injury. Keep the rest of the person warm.
What should I do for a chemical burn?
Avoid contact, brush off dry powder if safe, remove contaminated clothing and flush with running water for at least 20 minutes. Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 and do not neutralise the chemical.
When does a burn need 000?
Call 000 for breathing or airway problems, electrical or significant chemical burns, deep or extensive burns, burns to the face or airway, or serious collapse or major injury.
Keep it close
Print the reminder
Expanded burn-severity cues, the 20-minute cooling rule and separated thermal, chemical and electrical escalation points against current Healthdirect, ANZCOR and St John guidance.