Burns are one of those parenting moments that can go from "totally fine" to "completely terrifying" in seconds. A grabbed mug of tea. A curious hand on the oven door. A splash from a hot tap.
If it's happened to you or you, want to be ready before it does, this is the guide to keep on hand. Because knowing exactly what to do in those first minutes makes a real difference.
First, the Most Important Thing
Cool running water. 20 minutes. As soon as possible.
That's it. That's the single most important thing you can do. According to The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, cool running water held over the burn for 20 minutes is the best first aid for almost all burns and it can remain effective for up to three hours after the injury occurred.
Don't skip the 20 minutes even if your child is distressed. Keep the water cool (not cold, not icy, just cool running tap water) and start as soon as you safely can.
What Types of Burns Can Children Get?
Burns and scalds are a leading cause of injury in young children, with toddlers most at risk due to their natural curiosity and speed.
There are six main causes, according to the Women's & Children's Hospital SA:
- Scalds (60%) - hot liquids like tea, coffee, soups or bath water. The most common type, especially in infants and pre-schoolers.
- Flame (25%) - open flames or explosions, including flash burns from surrounding heat.
- Contact (10%) - touching a hot surface like an iron, oven door, or heater.
- Electrical (2%) - exposure to live current, like a power point or chewed power cord.
- Chemical - household cleaning products or other chemicals.
- Friction - treadmill belts are a surprisingly common cause.
One of the most common ways young children are burned is by pulling hot drinks and food off tables, causing severe burns to the face, neck, chest, and shoulders.
How Serious Is the Burn? Understanding Burn Depth
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne groups burns into four categories:
Superficial burns (first-degree) Mild, shallow burns affecting only the top layer of skin. Think redness, mild pain, no blistering. Sunburn is a common example. Usually heals within 3–6 days.
Partial-thickness burns (second-degree) Deeper burns affecting the top layer and part of the next. Often cause pain, redness, blistering, and swelling. A hot drink splash is a typical example. Healing time is one to three or more weeks depending on severity.
Full-thickness burns (third-degree) The most severe. All layers of skin are affected — sometimes fat and muscle tissue too. The skin may look brown, black, or white with a waxy appearance. These burns may actually feel less painful because nerve endings are damaged. They often require skin grafts.
Important: Even a small burn can have long-term effects depending on where it is on the body. Don't underestimate a burn just because it looks minor.
Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Child Is Burned
1. Remove them from danger
Get your child away from the heat source. If clothing is on fire: stop, drop, cover face, roll. If it's an electrical burn, turn off the power first if it's safe. For chemical burns, carefully remove contaminated clothing and rinse with water.
2. Cool the burn immediately
Hold the burned area under cool, running water for 20 minutes. This is effective for up to three hours after the injury, according to Children's Health Queensland. It reduces pain, limits cell damage, and prevents the burn from worsening.
3. Remove clothing and jewellery carefully
Gently remove clothing and jewellery near the burn — but be careful not to damage the skin. If anything has stuck to the burn, do not pull it off. Cut clothing away around it if needed.
4. Keep the rest of your child warm
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne notes that while you're cooling the burn, it's important to keep unburned areas covered and warm. Burns can cause hypothermia, because the skin normally helps regulate body temperature.
5. Cover the burn
Once cooled, cover with a light, loose, non-stick dressing or plastic cling film laid gently on top. Do not wrap cling film around the burn, and never put it on a face burn. This protects the area until medical care can be arranged if needed.
6. Do NOT apply home remedies
The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne is clear: common home remedies can make burns worse. Do not apply:
- Ice or icy water
- Butter, egg whites, or any food
- Toothpaste
- Lotions, creams, or oils
Aloe vera may help soothe very mild burns or sunburn, but for anything more serious, cool water is the only home treatment recommended.
When to Call 000
Call an ambulance immediately if:
- Your child has severe burns
- The burn is to the throat or airway and they're struggling to breathe
Go straight to hospital if:
- The burn is deep — even if your child doesn't feel pain (full-thickness burns can be painless due to nerve damage)
- The burn is on the face, hands, or genitals
- The burn is from electricity
- Your child is too distressed to keep the burn under water for 20 minutes
See a doctor or health professional if:
- The burn is larger than 3cm or has blisters
- It hasn't started healing after two days
- It's showing signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, pus, or fever)
(Source: The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne)
If the burn affects more than 5% of your child's body, seek urgent care. Larger burns can cause serious complications including infection, sepsis, and hypothermia. (Healthdirect Australia)
Preventing Burns at Home
Most childhood burns happen at home — particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. A few simple changes can make a big difference.
In the kitchen:
- Always supervise children, or use a safety gate to keep toddlers out while cooking
- Never leave hot drinks or food unattended on tables or benches
- Keep kettle cords away from bench edges
- Turn pot handles inward on the stovetop so little hands can't reach them
In the bathroom:
- Set your hot water system so bath and shower water can't exceed 50°C — a licensed plumber can help
- Always test the water before your child gets in: if it flushes your wrist or elbow red, it's too hot
- Fill the bath with cold water first, then add hot
Around the home:
- Install fire guards around open fires and heaters
- Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of reach
- Test smoke alarm batteries monthly
- Keep children away from treadmills while in use — unplug when not in use
(Source: The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne)
A Note on Chemical and Electrical Burns
Chemical burns: Rinse with large amounts of water. If chemicals have affected your child's eyes, rinse with water or saline immediately and go straight to hospital. Do not try to neutralise the chemical — just keep rinsing.
Electrical burns: These can be deceptive. The injury may be far more serious than it appears on the surface. Go straight to hospital regardless of how the burn looks. (Kids Health Info, RCH Melbourne)
The Takeaway
Burns are frightening, but the first step is always the same: cool running water, 20 minutes, immediately.
After that, trust your instincts as a parent. If something doesn't look right, if your child is in a lot of pain, or if you're unsure how serious it is — seek medical advice. It's always better to be seen and reassured than to wait.
This post contains general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. In an emergency, always call 000.
Sources:
- The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne – Burns and Scalds Prevention and First Aid
- Children's Health Queensland – Paediatric Burns Clinical Guideline
- Women's & Children's Hospital South Australia – Burns
- Healthdirect Australia – Burns and Scalds
- NSW Statewide Burn Injury Service – Burn Patient Management Clinical Practice Guide (2026)
