Emergency? For severe burns, call 911 immediately

Burn First Aid Made Clear

A free educational guide to what to do in the first minutes after a burn, how to tell how serious it may be, and what recovery usually looks like — based on published first aid guidance. Not a substitute for medical care.

Assess Severity First Aid Steps

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Assessment

Burn Severity Assessment Tool

Answer these questions to determine the likely severity of the burn

For informational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional.

1. What caused the burn?

2. Skin appearance?

3. Pain level?

4. Approximate size of burn area

5. Location of burn

First Aid

First Aid Protocol

Evidence-based immediate care for burns

STOP the burning process
Remove from heat source. Remove clothing/jewelry near the burn (unless stuck to skin).

COOL with running water
Hold under cool (not ice cold) running water for 20 minutes. Do NOT use ice, butter, or toothpaste.

COVER with clean dressing
Apply a sterile, non-stick dressing or clean plastic wrap. Do NOT pop blisters.

MANAGE pain
Over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Keep the burn elevated if possible.

SEEK medical attention if needed
For burns larger than your palm, on face/hands/feet/joints, chemical/electrical burns, or white/charred appearance.

NEVER DO: Apply ice, butter, oil, or toothpaste. Do not pop blisters. Do not remove clothing stuck to a burn.

Education

Understanding Burn Degrees

1st Degree

Epidermis only

✓ Red, dry skin
✓ Painful to touch
✓ No blisters
✓ Example: mild sunburn

Heals: 3-7 days
Usually no scarring

2nd Degree

Epidermis + dermis

✓ Red, wet appearance
✓ Blisters present
✓ Very painful
✓ Swelling

Heals: 2-3 weeks
May leave mild scarring

3rd Degree

Full thickness

✓ White, waxy, or charred
✓ No pain (nerves destroyed)
✓ Leather-like texture
✓ ALWAYS needs medical care

Heals: Months+
Requires surgery

Recovery

Recovery Timeline Calculator

Burn Degree

Size (% body surface)

Your Age

Prevention

Burn Prevention Tips

Kitchen Safety

Turn pot handles inward. Use oven mitts. Keep children away from stove. Never leave cooking oil unattended.

Water Heater

Set water heater to 120F (49C) max. Test bath water before entering. Install anti-scald devices.

Sun Protection

Apply SPF 30+ sunscreen every 2 hours. Wear protective clothing. Avoid peak sun hours (10am-4pm).

Fire Safety

Install smoke detectors. Keep fire extinguisher in kitchen. Plan and practice escape routes.