Remember, remember... these important First Aid and safety tips this bonfire night!
Bonfire night is a fun night out for the whole family! Whether you're going to your local park to see the firework display or playing with sparklers in your back garden, there is plenty of fun to be had. However, we all know we must be careful with around fireworks and open flames. You must keep an eye on your children at all times on bonfire night. If they should get into trouble, the Resus Rangers are here to tell you how to keep your children safe this bonfire night!
How might a child injure themselves?
There are many different hazards at night, particularly bonfire night. Poor visibility can lead to tripping, as can uneven surfaces. But the biggest hazard of all are the fireworks themselves - children must be kept at a safe distance at all times from all bonfires and fireworks otherwise they could get burnt...
What type of burns are there?
There are three main categories of burns:
Superficial Burn - affects the outermost layer of the skin. You may see redness, swelling, and tenderness.
Partial-Thickness Burn - affects the second layer of skin causing it to become red raw and form blisters. If 1% or more of the skin is affected, your child will require medical attention.
Full-Thickness Burn - all layers of the skin are affected, making it appear pale and waxy or charred. There may be damage to nerves, fat, muscle, and blood vessels.
1% of the skin is roughly equal to the size of the person affected's hand, so if the burn is the same size or bigger than your child's hand, seek medical attention.
Dos and Don'ts
Do:
Use tepid water to cool the burn for 20 minutes.
Remove loose clothing only.
Cover the burn with a sterile dressing or cling film is you are transporting the child to hospital.
Call 999 after ten minutes if the burn isn't cooling.
Don't:
Apply any creams or ice.
Remove clothing that is stuck to the burn.
Call an ambulance immediately if the burn is superficial.
Seek Urgent Medical Attention If...
A baby has burns.
The burn is larger than one square inch.
The burn goes all the way around the limb.
The burn involves hands, feet, genitals, or the face.
Any part of the burn appears to be full thickness.
All information is taken from our Resus Rangers School Resources Programme. For more information on how to treat burns and other injuries, subscribe and become a Resus Rangers school today!