Burns and Electric Shock: First Aid That Helps

Burns and Electric Shock: First Aid That Helps

Simple first aid for burns and electric shock at home, what helps, what harms, and when to see a doctor.

Chai spills on a child's hand, or a wire sparks near the switchboard. In that second, families do what they have seen at home, like reaching for toothpaste on a burn or pulling someone away from a live wire. Some of it helps, and some of it can make things worse.

In short:

• For a fresh burn, cool it under running cool tap water for 20 minutes if it is within 3 hours.
• Do not put toothpaste, ice, butter or oil on a burn.
• For an electric shock, switch off the power first if it is safe to do so, and do not touch the person until the current is off.
• Get medical help for any electric shock, a deep burn, or trouble breathing.

What happens in a burn or an electric shock

A burn damages the skin and sometimes the tissue below it. Hot water, hot oil, steam, fire, chemicals and electricity can all cause burns. The heat keeps working for a short time, so cooling the burn early can stop it from going deeper. For a burn from a dry chemical powder, brush off the powder first with a clean, dry cloth before rinsing with water.

An electric shock happens when current passes through the body. It can stop the heart or breathing. It can also burn the body from inside, even if the skin looks small. Both burns and electric shocks can happen in seconds at home, so quick, safe action matters.

What to do in the first few minutes

If someone is burned

1. Move the person away from the heat or hot liquid. Make sure the area is safe.
2. If the burn is from a dry chemical powder, brush it off the skin first with a clean, dry cloth. Do not add water before brushing off dry chemicals.
3. If the burn is within 3 hours, hold it under running cool tap water for 20 minutes. Do not use ice.
4. Gently remove clothing, jewellery or a diaper from the burnt area. If something is stuck to the skin, leave it.
5. Cover the cooled burn loosely with clingfilm or a clean, non-fluffy cloth. Keep the person warm.
6. Do not apply toothpaste, ice, butter, oil, ash or mud. Do not break blisters.
7. Get medical advice or emergency help if the burn is serious or you are not sure.

If someone gets an electric shock

1. Do not touch the person with bare hands while they may still be in contact with electricity. The current can pass through you.
2. If it is safe, switch off the main switch, breaker or fuse first. Ask someone else to call emergency medical help right away while you do this, or call as soon as the power is off.
3. If you cannot switch off the current and it is a low-voltage household source, move the source away with a dry object that does not carry electricity, such as wood, cardboard or plastic.
4. Never go near high-voltage wires or high-voltage equipment. Stay well away and call emergency services.
5. Once the person is safely free of the current, check if they respond and if they are breathing normally. If they do not respond and are not breathing normally, start CPR. Use an AED if one is available.
6. Even if the person looks fine, take them to a doctor. Electric shock can cause burns inside the body.

What not to do

• Do not put toothpaste on a burn. It does not cool the burn, and it can trap heat and cause infection.
• Do not put ice, butter, oil, ash or mud on a burn. These can damage the skin and make it hard for a doctor to see the burn.
• Do not touch someone who may still be in contact with electricity. You could get shocked too.
• Do not break blisters or peel skin. This raises the chance of infection.

When to see a doctor

• The person is not responding, or is not breathing normally.
• The person is faint, pale, or shows signs of shock.
• Any burn from electricity, even if it looks small.
• A burn larger than the person's palm, or a burn that looks white, brown or charred, or has no pain.
• A burn on the face, neck, hands, feet, joints or genitals, or around a baby's diaper area.
• Blisters, or a burn that looks worse after a day.
• Smoke or hot steam was breathed in, or the person has trouble breathing.
• The person is a young child, an older adult, pregnant, or has diabetes or another long-term illness.

Simple ways to prevent burns and electric shocks at home

• Keep hot chai, dal, oil and pans away from the edge of the table and stove.
• Turn pot handles inward so children cannot pull them.
• Keep children away from the stove, iron, heater and geyser.
• Cover unused sockets and repair frayed wires.
• Use dry hands to touch switches and plugs.
• Keep a first aid kit, clean cloth and clingfilm at home.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put toothpaste on a burn?

No. Toothpaste does not cool a burn. It can trap heat and cause infection. Cool the burn with running cool tap water instead.

Should I put ice on a burn?

No. Ice can harm the skin more. Running cool tap water is safer.

What if someone gets an electric shock and looks fine?

Take them to a doctor. Electric shock can burn the body inside and can affect the heart.

Can I touch someone who is still touching a live wire?

No. You could get shocked too. Switch off the main power first if it is safe, then call for help.

For any health problem, see a doctor. This article gives general information, not a substitute for medical advice.