A burn injury can occur just about anywhere, inside or outside. Sadly, about 4,000 people die annually in the U.S. from fire and burn injuries, according the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Some burns are minor and can be treated at home. For minor burns, the following steps should be taken to treat the injury:
- Remove the person from the heat source and take off any burned clothing (except any clothing that may be embedded in the burn).
- Run cool (not cold) water over the burn, or hold a cold, clean compress on it until the pain subsides. Do not use ice, and do not use butter or other types of grease to try to ease the pain.
- Apply a clean bandage as well as antibiotic cream.
For more serious burns, be sure to seek medical attention right away. Also, any burns to the eyes, mouth, hands, and genitals require medical attention, even if they do not appear serious. If any of the following symptoms occur as a result of a burn, also seek medical attention:
- Fever
- Puss-like or foul-smelling drainage
- Excessive swelling
- Redness of the skin
- Blister filled with greenish or brownish fluid
- Burn that doesn’t heal in 10 days to two weeks
If you or someone you know has suffered a chemical or electrical burn, call 911 immediately for help. If the burn injury is electrical related, do not approach the injured person until you know for sure that the power source has been turned off.
Serious electrical burns should first be treated by raising the victim’s arm and legs higher than his or her body. Cover the victim with cool, wet cloths until emergency personnel can arrive. Never break blisters from a burn.
For chemical burns, a person wearing waterproof gloves should brush chemicals off the skin. Clothing and jewelry should be removed from the victim, and he or she needs to be placed in the shower for 15 to 20 minutes.
If there has been any risk of swallowing the chemical, call poison control (1-800-222-1222) first, then 911.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another, don’t continue to watch medical bills pile up as your finances suffer. Contact an experienced Anchorage, Alaska burn injury attorney right away for help and guidance.
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