Burns come from a variety of sources: hot surfaces, hot liquids, electrical outlets and appliances as well as chemicals in the house and garden. Keeping a first aid kit on hand that enables you to respond swiftly to any potential burn can minimize the damage caused by a burn. Remember to involve your health care provider in cases of severe burn or if children are injured, as infection can set in easily in these cases.
Water
While you needn't keep water in your home first-aid kit, you should carry it in your car or in your back country first aid kit. The first step in minimizing burns is to wash the affected area with water to stop the burn, cleanse the area of anything causing the burn and wash the area of any debris.
If the person has been burned by hot liquid through his clothing, don't peel the clothing off. Instead, immerse the burned area in cool water to stop the burn. If the clothing or material is embedded into the burned area, seek a health care provider's assistance in removing the clothing or material.
Sterile Dressing and Paper Tape
Infection is the most dangerous part of a burn besides the burn itself. Keep sterile dressings on hand at home, in your car and in your travel first aid kit to wrap and protect any burned area. Sterile dressings can include such items a pre-packaged individual sterile gauze pads that you can purchase at your drug or grocery story to specialized pads that include water to keep the burned area moist.
Don't use regular band-aids as they can stick to the wounded area, causing pain upon removal and damage to the re-generating skin. Use paper tape to affix the dressing, if necessary, as this is easier to remove and can also be used to tape the dressing together without touching the surface of the skin.
Antiseptic Ointment
If the burn is not very severe, you can use a simple antiseptic ointment before covering the burned area with the sterile dressing. Don't break any blisters, as these are the body's method of healing a burn and bursting them can not only interfere with the healing, but can also invite infection.
Health Care Provider's Number
Keep your health care provider's number in your kit for easy access. If the person who has been burned is breathing shallowly, is pale or seems disoriented, contact your health care provider as shock may be setting in. Also keep a phone handy to call 911 in case of severe burns or smoke inhalation.
