First Aid and Emergencies · Lesson 6 of 11 · 11 min

Burns and scalds, including hot oil

Kitchen burns from boiling water, hot pans and frying oil are among the most common home injuries. The right first aid in the first minutes reduces pain, scarring and the risk of a hospital visit.

Cool it, straight away

Hold the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes. The NHS says start as soon as possible, ideally within 3 hours of the injury.
St John Ambulance and British Red Cross both say at least 20 minutes; if you call an ambulance, keep cooling until help arrives.
No tap nearby: use cool bottled water or a wet towel (NHS). The British Red Cross says cold milk or soft drinks can be used if there is no water.
A shower can work if you aim cool, low-pressure water at the burn only. Do not put the whole body in a cold shower or bath, which can cause dangerous cooling (hypothermia), especially in children.
Set a timer: 20 minutes feels long, and most people stop too early.

Remove, then cover

Take off jewellery, watches and clothing near the burn before swelling starts.
Do not remove anything that is stuck to the burn.
Once cooled, cover loosely with cling film, laid lengthways over the burn rather than wrapped tightly around a limb, as the area needs room to swell.
A clean plastic bag works for a hand or foot.
Cling film keeps the area clean and reduces pain by keeping air off the skin.

What NOT to do

No ice: it can damage the skin further. Use cool water instead.
No butter, oil, creams or toothpaste. The British Red Cross explains that oils hold heat in, toothpaste only gives a surface cooling feeling, and anything applied may need to be scraped off in hospital.
No plasters or sticky dressings, which can stick to and tear the skin.
Do not burst blisters.
Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help with pain, following the dose on the pack, as the NHS notes.

When it needs a hospital

Go to A&E or call 998 if a burn is very large or deep, is on the face, genitals or bottom, or was caused by acid, chemicals or electricity (NHS).
The British Red Cross says babies and children should always get medical advice, even for small burns, after cooling for at least 20 minutes.
Get advice if you are unsure how serious a burn is.
Do not drive yourself; ask someone to drive you or call an ambulance.
For electrical burns, make sure the power is switched off before you touch the person.

Hot oil in the kitchen

An oil splash or spill is a burn like any other: cool it under running water for 20 minutes, remove nearby clothing and jewellery, and cover with cling film.
If a pan of oil catches fire, never throw water on it. Fire services warn water on hot oil causes a violent flare-up; do not use a damp tea towel either.
If it is safe, turn off the heat, get out, close the doors behind you and call 997 (Civil Defence).
The British Red Cross says always get medical advice for a child's burn, so take extra care to keep younger siblings away when you are deep-frying samosas, luqaimat or anything else in hot oil.

Practise in real life

Tick each one off when you have done it.

Find a phone timer you can start one-handed and practise starting a 20 minute countdown.
Check that your kitchen has cling film and that everyone knows it is for burns as well as food.
Walk through with your family what you would do if a pan of oil caught fire: heat off if safe, get out, close the door, call 997.

Remember

Cool running water for 20 minutes, as soon as possible.
Remove jewellery and loose clothing, not anything stuck.
Cover loosely with cling film.
No ice, butter, oil, creams or toothpaste; do not pop blisters.
Never throw water on an oil fire.

Note: This lesson is general information, not a substitute for a certified first aid course with hands-on practice. In the UAE, the Emirates Red Crescent runs first aid training (for example with universities), and in 2022 Abu Dhabi Police's Directorate of Emergency and Public Safety offered CPR, basic life support and AED courses through the TAMM portal for people over 16; check current dates and fees directly, or look for an accredited provider near you. Most step-by-step guidance here comes from UK bodies (St John Ambulance, NHS, British Red Cross), which say 'call 999 or 112'. In the UAE, 999 is police: for a medical emergency call 998 (ambulance), as listed on the UAE Government Portal. The NHS says cool water; the British Red Cross says cold running water: both say at least 20 minutes and not ice. The British Red Cross also lists beer as an emergency cooling liquid; this lesson mentions only milk and soft drinks. Kitchen fire advice comes from a UK fire service; in the UAE, call 997 for fire.

Check yourself

1. How long should you cool a burn under running water?

2. What should you cover a cooled burn with?

3. Why does the British Red Cross say not to put toothpaste on a burn?

4. Which burn should go to A&E according to the NHS?

5. A pan of oil catches fire. What should you never do?