Educators warned about the lifelong pain of burns in National Burns Awareness Month

A common meal for time poor educators is instant soup or noodles, particularly as weather around much of the country cools. During June, which is National Burns Awareness Month, educators are urged to be mindful of the risks, with statistics showing that one in five childhood burns are caused from popular ‘instant’ products.

Other items to be aware of are hot drinks such as tea and coffee, candles, hot glue guns, heat packs and hot water bottles, or indeed, heaters themselves. The campaign aims to raise awareness all year round, but especially in June, of the dangers of burns and the correct first aid treatment for burns and scalds.

KidSafe Australia, an agency who seeks to promote action to highlight and minimise the level of risk and consequence of injury to children, outlined the critical importance of applying cool running water to the burn area for a minimum of twenty minutes following an injury.

Applying the correct first aid measures can make a significant difference in the rehabilitation and long term outcome of the burn injury, a spokesperson said.

In the event of a child or adult sustaining a burn, the following measures have been recommended:

• Remove-remove yourself from danger. Remove any clothing and jewellery from the burn area unless stuck to the skin

• Cool-place the burn under cool running water for twenty minutes.Items like ice, oil or butter should never be placed on a burn

• Cover the burn with a clean dressing

• Seek medical attention if the burn or scald is on the face, hands, feet, genitals or buttocks, is larger than a 20-cent coin or is blistered

Prevention, however, is far better than cure. A range of prevention tips and videos have been produced for use year round, and can be accessed here.

For more information about Burns Awareness Month, and the correct first aid treatment for minor burns, please visit Kidsafe Australia, the Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA), or follow Twitter at @BurnsAwareMonth