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Burns — First Aid (Heat and Flames)
What to do
- Stop the burning process: move the person away from the heat source and put out any flames (stop, drop and roll if clothing is on fire). Keep yourself safe.
- Cool the burn under cool running water for at least 20 minutes. Start as soon as possible — cooling still helps if begun within the first couple of hours. Do not use ice or iced water.
- While cooling, remove rings, watches, belts and tight clothing near the burn before swelling starts — but never pull off anything stuck to the burn.
- After cooling, cover the burn loosely with cling film (plastic wrap) laid over the skin, or a clean non-fluffy dressing or cloth. This keeps it clean, reduces pain and lets clinicians see the burn.
- Keep the person warm with a blanket (avoiding the burned area) — large burns cause body heat and fluid loss.
- Call 911 or arrange urgent care for any large, deep or serious burn (see below), and do not give food or drink if the burn is severe.
What NOT to do
- Do not use ice, iced water, butter, oils, toothpaste or creams on a fresh burn — they worsen damage or infection risk.
- Do not burst blisters — they protect the skin underneath.
- Do not pull off clothing or material stuck to the burn.
- Do not delay cooling to look for dressings — running water first.
When to get medical care
Get emergency or urgent care for burns that are larger than the person's hand, deep (white, charred or painless areas), on the face, hands, feet, joints or genitals, all the way around a limb, or in babies and children. Also seek help for any burn with blistering over a large area, signs of shock, or if smoke was inhaled.
Related symptoms
Watch: related videos
Frequently asked questions
Why 20 minutes of cooling?
Burns keep damaging tissue after the heat source is removed because the tissue stays hot. Twenty minutes under cool running water is the period shown in guidelines to reduce burn depth, pain and the need for surgery. Ice is too cold and damages tissue further.
Should I put anything on a burn at home?
After cooling and covering with cling film or a clean dressing, leave the burn alone until it is assessed. Simple pain relief can be taken as directed on the packet. Do not apply creams, antiseptics or home remedies to a fresh burn.
In an emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) first — do not delay a call to read a guide. These pages are educational first-aid information in general terms; they are not a substitute for emergency services, first-aid training, or assessment by a qualified clinician.
