Burn First Aid: What to Do if Someone Gets Burned at a BBQ

Bank holidays are a perfect time to fire up the barbecue, but accidents around open flames or scalding oils can happen quickly. Knowing how to respond effectively to a burn could prevent infection, reduce pain, and limit long-term damage.

How to Assess a Burn

1. Size matters
If a burn covers more than 1% of the body, it should be seen in hospital. As a rough guide, 1% of the body surface area is approximately the size of the casualty’s hand (palm and fingers).

2. Understanding burn depth
Burns are classified by how many layers of skin are affected:

• Superficial burns
  Affect only the outer layer (epidermis). The skin looks red, sore, and may be swollen.

• Partial thickness burns
  Affect both the outer (epidermis) and second layer (dermis). The area may appear raw, red, and blistered.

• Full thickness burns
  Extend through the skin into deeper tissues. The burn may look pale, charred, or waxy. Due to nerve damage, the area may not be painful.

Any full thickness burn, regardless of size, requires urgent medical assessment.

Treating Minor Burns at Home

If the burn is small and superficial or partial thickness, and you are confident it does not require emergency care, follow these steps:

1. Cool the burn immediately
Run the burn under cool (not cold) running water for 20 minutes. Do this as soon as possible, ideally within minutes of the injury, but it is still beneficial even up to three hours later.

2. Remove tight items
Before swelling starts, gently remove jewellery, watches, belts, or restrictive clothing near the burn. Do not attempt to remove anything that is stuck to the burn.

3. Cover the burn
Once cooled, cover the area with a non-stick dressing. Cling film is ideal – discard the first two rotations from the roll and loosely lay it over the burn.

What Not to Do

• Do not use ice – this can worsen tissue damage.

• Do not burst blisters – they protect the skin underneath.

• Do not touch the burn – this increases the risk of infection.

• Do not remove clothing stuck to the burn – wait for professional help.

• Do not apply adhesive dressings – they may stick and cause further harm.

When in Doubt, Seek Medical Help

If you’re unsure about the severity of a burn, it’s always safest to get professional medical advice. Burns can become more serious than they first appear, especially in children, older adults, or when the burn is on the face, hands, feet, or over joints.