Handling Burns

 

Accidental burns can happen just about anywhere in your home or on the job, and they're not always caused by fire. You might get burned by:

• Hot objects or liquid
• Friction
• Sun
• Electricity
• Certain chemicals
• Radiation

 

The severity of a burn depends on the area it covers and how deep the damage goes.

• First-degree burns affect only the thin top layer of skin
• Second-degree burns include the thick lower layer of skin
• A third-degree burn is the most serious; it penetrates the entire thickness of the skin, permanently destroying it and the tissue that's underneath

 

See a doctor if the burn is dark red and looks glossy with a lot of blistering. These are signs of a deep second-degree burn. Get immediate treatment if the burned skin is dry and leathery, perhaps with white, brown, or black patches. These are signs of third-degree burn.

 

You can take steps to avoid burns:

• Never leave cooking food unattended on the stove
• Set your water heater's thermostat to 120 °F or lower
• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and business

 

For more information, go to the National Institute of Health Fact Sheet.