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First aid · Australia

Burns and scalds

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.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Stop the burning process

    Remove the person from danger and stop the burning process if safe to do so.

    Take care. Do not touch live electrical sources or enter a high-voltage scene.

  2. Cool a thermal burn

    For a heat or scald burn, cool it under cool running water for at least 20 minutes as soon as possible.

    Take care. Do not use ice, butter, creams or household remedies.

    Take care. Do not let a child become cold while cooling the burn.

  3. Remove loose items

    Remove rings, watches, jewellery and loose wet clothing near the burn if they are not stuck to the skin.

    Take care. Do not burst blisters or pull away clothing stuck to the skin.

  4. Cover the cooled burn

    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.

  5. Chemical or electrical burn

    For chemical or electrical burns, use the specific safety branch, call 000 or the Poisons Information Centre as appropriate, and seek urgent medical help.

    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.

    Take care. Do not neutralise a chemical with another chemical or apply cling film to a chemical burn.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • 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.

Children and babies

  • 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.

Keep checking

  • Keep the rest of the person warm, monitor breathing and response, and continue cooling while arranging help.

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.

When help arrives

  • 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.

Other useful answers

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.

Sources and last update

Content updated: August 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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