Fires and Burns
• About 4,200 deaths every year
• 416,000 injuries lead to emergency department visit
• Most occur in the home
• Most fires and burns can be prevented
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-1
Functions of Skin
• Protection from pathogens
• Fluid retention
• Temperature regulation
• Sensation
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-2
Layers of Skin
Layers of Skin
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-3
Preventing Sunburn
• Keep infants under age
1 out of direct sunlight
• Use sunscreen and lip
balm
• Wear wide-brimmed hat
and protective clothing
• Limit sun exposure
between 10 am and
4 pm
• Be aware of reflective
surfaces (water, snow)
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-4
Heat Burns
• Caused by sun,
flames, contact with
steam or any hot
object
• Severity depends on
amount of damage to
skin and other tissues
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-5
Put Out The Fire
• Stop, drop and roll
• Use water on any
flames
• Cool the burned area
• Remove clothing and
jewelry
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-6
Assessing a Burn
• What type of burn?
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree?
• How extensive?
- How much body area?
• What specific body areas burned?
• Any special circumstances?
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-7
Classification of Burns
• First-degree
- Superficial burn
- Damages only outer layer of skin
• Second-degree
- Partial-thickness burn
- Damages skin’s deeper layers
• Third-degree
- Full-thickness burn
- Damages all layers of skin
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-8
© 2011 National Safety Council
First Degree
•
AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION
•
Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross
•
All rights reserved.
© 2011 National Safety Council
Second Degree
•
AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION
•
Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross
•
All rights reserved.
© 2011 National Safety Council
Second and Third Degree
© 2011 National Safety Council
Third Degree (full thickness)
•
AMERICAN RED CROSS FIRST AID–RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES FOURTH EDITION
•
Copyright © 2006 by The American National Red Cross
•
All rights reserved.
© 2011 National Safety Council
Assessing Burn Size and Severity
• Rule of Nines
• Each arm 9% (4.5 front/back)
• Each leg 18% (9 front/back)
• Torso-front 18%(9 chest/ab)
• Torso-back 18% (9 lower/upper)
• Head 9% (4.5 front/back)
• Genital region 1%
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-14
Call 9-1-1
• Any 3rd degree burn larger than a 50 cent piece
• Any 2nd degree burn more than 10% of body in adult
(5% in child or older adult)
• 2nd or 3rd degree burn on face, genitals, hands or feet
• Circumferential burns
• Burns around nose and mouth
• Victims with chronic health disorders
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-15
First Aid for First-Degree Burns
1. Stop the burning.
2. Cool burned area
with cold running tap
water.
3. Remove constricting
items.
4. Protect burn.
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-16
First Aid for Second-Degree Burns
1. Stop the burning.
2. Cool burned area
with cold running tap
water.
3. For large burns call
9-1-1.
4. Remove constricting
items.
5. Apply loose non-stick
dressing over area.
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-17
First Aid for Third-Degree Burns
1. Stop the burning
2. Cool surrounding areas
with cold water (but not
more than 20% of the
body or 10% for child)
3. Remove constricting
items
4. Call 9-1-1
5. Treat shock
6. Apply non-stick dressing
to area
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-18
Smoke Inhalation
• Any victim in fire could have airway or lung injuries
from smoke inhalation
• Airway may swell and make breathing difficult
• Damage to alveoli may affect ability to receive oxygen
• Symptoms may not be obvious for up to 48 hours
after exposure
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-19
Chemical Burns
• Strong chemicals can
burn skin on contact
• Sometimes burns
develop slowly
• Acids, alkalis, liquids
and solids can cause
burns
• Flush substance off
skin with water as soon
as possible
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-20
First Aid for Chemical Burns
1. Send someone to
check the Material
Safety Data Sheet for
the chemical
2. Move victim to avoid
fumes
3. Brush off dry
chemical from skin
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-21
First Aid for Chemical Burns
4. Remove clothing and
jewelry from burn area
while flushing with
water
5. Flush entire area
quickly with large
amounts of running
water until EMS
personnel arrive
6. Call 9-1-1
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-22
continued
First Aid for Chemical Burns
• Flush eye immediately
with water until EMS
personnel arrive
• Have victim remove
contact lens
• Tilt victim’s head so
water runs away from
other eye
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-23
continued
Electrical Burns and Shocks
• Occurs when body
contacts electricity
• Typical injuries occur
with faulty appliances
or power cords or
appliance in contact
with water
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-24
Injuries from Electricity
• External injuries may include entrance and exit
wounds
• Internal injures caused by electricity flowing through
body
- Heart rhythm irregularities
- Cardiac arrest
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-25
First Aid for Electrical Burns
1. Do not touch victim until it is safe. Unplug or turn off
the power
2. Call 9-1-1
3. Give BLS to unresponsive victim
4. Care for burn
5. Treat for shock
© 2011 National Safety Council
11-26