Burns specialists at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead have seen an increase in the number of children being admitted to its burns unit with scalds from accidents around the home, all of which are preventable.

Today (Wed 18 October) it’s national burn awareness day, and the hospital’s experts want to remind people of the importance of prevention and also effective first aid if you’re first at the scene.

Half of the children admitted to the paediatric burns unit at the hospital in the last year were treated for scalds, the majority of which occurred in the child’s own home. Many of them were under 2.

Tea and coffee scalds were the main cause.

The hospital is supporting the British Burns Association’s ‘cool, call and cover’ first aid guidance:

• Cool the burn with running cool tap water for 20 minutes and remove all clothing and any jewellery
• Call for help – 999, 111 or your local GP for advice
• Cover with cling film while transferring to a hospital/GP surgery. The hospital/GP should apply a sterile dressing. Cling film should not be left on a burn for more than a few hours and only while wounds are being assessed by health professionals.

For more information please contact the QVH Press Office on 01342 414508.