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Kids Health Info

Burns and scalds – prevention and first aid

  • Key points

    • Burns and scalds are injuries to skin and other tissue caused by factors like hot liquids, steam, flames, contact with hot objects, friction, chemicals and electricals.
    • Burns and scalds are a leading cause of injury to young children. They can range from minor to extremely serious.
    • The best first aid for burns is cool running water. Hold the burned area under cool, running water as soon as possible for 20 minutes.
    • Always supervise children in the kitchen and keep hot drinks and food out of reach.
    • Try to limit the temperature of hot water in your taps so your bath and shower can never get hotter than 50°C.
    • Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child has severe burns.

    What are burns and scalds?

    Burns and scalds are injuries to the skin and other tissues. They are a leading cause of injury to young children, with toddlers most at risk because of their increased mobility and natural curiosity.

    The main causes of burns are:

    1. Scalds caused by hot liquids, foods or steam
    2. Contact with hot objects like heaters or oven doors
    3. Flames
    4. Friction, such as burns from a treadmill running belt
    5. Chemical, such as burns from household cleaning products
    6. Electrical, such as mouth burns from chewing on power cords.

    There are also burns caused by very cold objects, such as dry ice, and radiant burns, like sunburn.

    One of the most common ways children get burns is by pulling hot foods and drinks off tables. This can cause severe burns on their face, neck, chest and shoulders.

    All burns can be serious. Even small burns can have long-term effects on your child, depending on where they are on the body. Severe burns may require surgery and ongoing physiotherapy.

    Types of burns

    Burns are grouped into four categories based on how deep they are.

    Superficial burns (first-degree)

    • Mild, shallow burns
    • Only affects the top layer of the skin
    • Often causes mild pain and redness
    • Sunburn is a common superficial burn
    • Usually heals in three to six days.

    Partial-thickness burns (second-degree)

    • More serious, deeper burns
    • Affects the top layer of skin and part of the next layer
    • Often cause pain, redness, blistered skin and swelling
    • A hot drink splash is an example of a partial-thickness burn
    • Healing time depends on severity, usually between one to three or more weeks.

    Full-thickness burns (third-degree)

    • Most severe, deep burns
    • Affects all layers of skin and nerve endings, and sometimes fat and muscle tissue
    • Skin may look brown, black or white; it often has a waxy sheen
    • Burn may not be painful due to nerve-ending damage
    • Examples of full-thickness burns include burns from fire or treadmill running belts
    • Healing time depends on severity; these burns often require skin grafts.

    First aid for burns and scalds

    Cool water is the best treatment for almost all burns. If your child gets a burn, hold the burned area under cool, running water as soon as possible for 20 minutes. This technique can help for up to three hours after a burn. Remove clothing or jewellery, but be gentle to avoid skin damage. Sometimes, you will need to cut clothing to remove it. Do not pull anything off the burn that has stuck to it. Common home remedies for burns can actually make them worse.

    Do not put the following on fresh burns:

    • Ice
    • Lotions or creams
    • Food items like egg whites, butter, or potato
    • Toothpaste.

    Aloe vera may help soothe mild burns and sunburn.

    If your child's burn is mild, the skin has not blistered or broken, and they seem settled, they do not need treatment from a doctor. If the burn is more serious and you think it needs medical attention, cover it with a loose, non-stick dressing or plastic cling film until your child can see a doctor. It is best to lie the plastic cling film on top of the burn rather than wrap it around the injured area. Never put plastic cling film onto a burn on the face. A doctor should look at more serious burns within a few hours, so it may be best to take your child to an urgent care clinic or emergency department.

    Call an ambulance (000) immediately if your child has severe burns.

    Preventing burns and scalds

    Burn injuries often happen in the home – especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Other high-risk places include fireplaces and camping sites. By taking a few minutes to make your home and environment as safe as possible, you could prevent a life-changing injury.

    In the kitchen

    • Always supervise your child in the kitchen. Teach your child to stay out of the kitchen while you are cooking or preparing meals unless you invite them in. If you have a toddler, consider installing a child safety gate.
    • Keep your child away from hot foods and liquids like tea, coffee, soups and noodles. Never leave hot items on tables or benches without supervision.
    • Never leave hot drinks and food unattended.
    • Store your kettle and cord away from the edge of the kitchen bench.
    • Use the back row of burners on the stovetop and turn pot handles inwards while cooking so children cannot reach them.

    In the bathroom

    • Set a maximum hot water temperature for your hot water system so tap, bath and shower water cannot get hotter than 50°C. A licensed plumber can help you do this.
    • Always test the water temperature before letting your child in the shower or bath. If you put your wrist or elbow into the water and it flushes red, it is too hot for your child.
    • Fill the bath with cold water first, then add hot water.

    Around the home and outdoors

    • Install fixed fire screens or heater guards around open or glass-fronted fires and heaters.
    • Keep lighters, matches and open flames like candles out of reach.
    • Check your smoke alarm is working correctly. Test batteries every month and replace them every year at the end of daylight savings.
    • Always supervise children when camping. Keep your child away from campfires and coals, and make sure they always wear shoes outside. Campfire coals can often still be hot from the day before – always use water (not sand) to extinguish them.
    • Keep children away from treadmills while in use; remove the key and unplug from the wall when not in use.

    When to get help

    Call an ambulance (000) if:
    • your child has severe burns.
    • your child’s burn is to their throat or airway, and they are struggling to breathe.

    Go to a hospital if:
    • your child’s burn is deep – even if they do not feel any pain.
    • your child’s burn is on their face, hands or genitals.
    • your child’s burn is from electricity.
    • your child is too distressed to keep their burn under cold water for 20 minutes.

    See a doctor or health professional if:
    • your child’s burn is larger than 3cm or has blisters.
    • your child’s burn has not healed after two days.
    • your child’s burn shows signs of infection, like increasing pain, pus or fever (temperature of 38°C or more).
    • you are worried about your child’s burn.

    Look after your child at home if:
    • their burn is minor and soothed with cold, running water.
    • their burn is healing well.

    Common questions about burns and scalds

    Should I put my child’s burn under cool water or take them straight to the hospital?

    It is important to cool the burn as soon as possible, as this helps reduce pain and will limit further burn damage. If your child has a more serious burn, continue running the burn under cool water for 20 minutes before taking your child to the hospital unless they are too distressed. Try to call an ambulance (000) while you are cooling a severe burn.

    Should I put a burn cream from the pharmacy on my child’s burn?

    The most important immediate treatment for most burns is cool, running water for 20 minutes. It is best to avoid putting any creams on moderate or severe burns without advice from a medical professional. Your child's doctor or nurse will recommend any products that may help their burn.

    Do all burns need to be covered?

    Mild burns that do not need treatment from a doctor may not need to be covered or ‘dressed,’ but a simple non-stick dressing may make your child more comfortable while they heal. Most burns that need treatment will be covered with dressings – in many cases, you can keep these on your child for up to a week to help with healing and discomfort.

    Can burns get infected?

    Skin helps prevent infection. However, burns make the skin weaker, so some may get infected. Thankfully, this is uncommon. It is normal for burns to look red and angry, but this does not mean they are infected. Most burn dressings help protect against infection while the skin heals. When your child has a healing burn, watch for signs of infection like increasing pain, pus or fever (temperature of 38°C or more) and speak to a doctor if you are worried.

    I have heard burns described as ‘first, second or third degree.’ What does this mean?

    The terms ‘first, second or third degree’ are not used to describe burns in Australia; however, you may still see them in used in other countries. Burns in Australia are usually described based on the layers of skin that are injured. The most superficial burn (first degree) is an injury to the top layer of skin called the ‘epidermis.’ Sunburn is usually a superficial burn. A partial-thickness burn (second degree) is an injury to the second layer of skin called the ‘dermis.’ Hot water scalds are common partial-thickness burns. Finally, a full-thickness burn (third degree) is an injury to all layers of skin and nerve endings, and possibly some structures underneath like fat or muscle. Flame and treadmill running belt burns are often full-thickness burns.

    What should I do if my child has a chemical burn?

    All chemical burns should be washed out (irrigated) with large amounts of water. If your child burns themselves with chemicals in or near their eyes, wash the area with water or saline solution as much as you can before taking them to the nearest hospital.

    Should I keep my child home from childcare or school when they have a healing burn?

    The size and location of your child’s burn will impact their recovery time and when they can return to normal activities. It is safe for your child to go to childcare or school with a healing burn if they are not in too much pain, and you are confident the educators can help them keep their dressings dry and intact. Your child should avoid sandpits or water play while they still have dressings on.

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    What to do with burns

    For more information

    Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Burns service and Trauma service. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed June 2025

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.

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