Burns Immediate First Aid

In an Emergency

  • Call: 911.
  • Contact the Office of Public Safety at 212-772-4444 or ANY PUBLIC SAFETY DESK.

Overview

  • First, stop the burning to prevent a more severe burn. 
  • Heat burns (thermal burns): Smother any flames by covering them with a blanket or water. If your clothing catches fire, do not run: stop, drop and roll on the ground to smother the flames.
  • Cold temperature burns: Try first aid measures to warm the areas. Small areas of your body (ears,  face, nose, fingers, toes) that are really cold or frozen can be warmed by blowing warm air on them, tucking them inside your clothing or putting them in warm water. 
  • Liquid scald burns (thermal burns): Run cool tap water over the burn for 10 to 20 minutes. Do not use ice. 
  • Electrical burns: After the person has been separated from the electrical source, check for breathing and a heartbeat. 
    • If the person is not breathing or does not have a heartbeat, call 911. 
    • Expose the chest and start CPR with 30 chest compressions. Look inside the mouth each time you open the mouth to give breaths and remove any object seen. 
  • Chemical burns: Natural foods such as chili peppers, which contain a substance irritating to the skin, can cause a burning sensation. When a chemical burn occurs, find out what chemical caused the burn.