Adult Burns Australia: Causes & Essential First Aid - Assurance First Aid Kits

Adult Burns Australia: Causes & Essential First Aid

Aussies love  sun,  BBQs, our DIY projects, and the great outdoors.

But sometimes, these very activities, along with everyday household chores, can put us at risk of accidental burns.

While we often associate burn prevention with children, adults are far from immune.

In my 18+ years in emergency response and first aid training, I've seen countless preventable burn injuries in adults, often stemming from a momentary lapse in concentration or an underestimation of the risk.

How Do Adults Typically Get Burned in Australia? It's More Common Than You Think.

Accidental burns in adults often happen during routine activities where we might let our guard down:

  1. Kitchen Mishaps: Still the number one location. Hot cooking oil splatters, steam from pots or kettles, touching hot pans or oven trays, and spills of hot liquids (soups, coffee, tea) are frequent causes.

  1. BBQ & Fire Pits: A favourite Aussie pastime, but flare-ups, gas explosions, contact with hot plates or coals, and use of accelerants for fire pits or bonfires lead to many serious burns, especially during holiday seasons.

  1. DIY & Workshop Accidents: Welding, grinding, soldering, or working with hot engines and machinery without proper protective gear can result in severe contact and flame burns. Chemical burns from solvents, acids, or strong cleaning agents are also a risk.

  1. Hot Water System Scalds: Particularly in older homes or systems where the thermostat is set too high (above 50°C for hot water delivery). A moment under excessively hot shower water can cause significant scalds.

  1. Workplace Burns: Depending on the industry, this can range from chemical burns in labs or cleaning jobs, electrical burns for electricians, to flame or scald burns in commercial kitchens or industrial settings.

  2. Flammable Liquids & Open Flames: Mishandling petrol, methylated spirits, or other flammable liquids near ignition sources (cigarettes, pilot lights, heaters) is a recipe for disaster. Campbell fires and heaters also pose risks if not managed carefully.

  3. Sunburn: Yes, even severe sunburn is a radiation burn! Repeated or severe sunburn significantly increases your risk of skin cancer and causes painful blistering and inflammation.

More Than Skin Deep: Complications of Burn Injuries

A burn is not just a skin injury; it can have far-reaching and serious complications, especially if it's extensive, deep, or not treated correctly from the beginning.

  • Infection: Burned skin loses its protective barrier, making it highly susceptible to bacterial infections. This is a major concern and can lead to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
  • Scarring & Contractures: Deeper burns often result in scarring. Scars over joints can lead to contractures – a tightening of the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments that restricts movement. This can require extensive physiotherapy and sometimes further surgery.
  • Pain: Both acute and chronic pain are common after burns. Managing this can be challenging and significantly impact quality of life.
  • Fluid Loss & Dehydration: Burns cause fluid to leak from damaged tissues. Large burns can lead to significant fluid loss, potentially causing dehydration and shock if not managed promptly.
  • Hypothermia: Despite the heat of the initial injury, burn patients (especially those with large burns) can lose body heat rapidly, leading to hypothermia, particularly during prolonged cooling with water.
  • Psychological Impact: The trauma of the event, changes in appearance due to scarring, chronic pain, and lengthy recovery can lead to anxiety, depression, PTSD, and body image issues.
  • Impact on Livelihood & Daily Function: Severe burns can mean long periods off work, difficulty performing daily tasks, and a need for ongoing care and rehabilitation.

Complacency and Lingering Risks

From my experience as a first aid trainers and my earlier years as a nurse, a common thread in adult burns is often a degree of complacency.

 

We do tasks routinely, like cooking dinner or lighting a bonfire, and perhaps don't maintain the same hyper-vigilance we'd have if a child were nearby.

But hot oil behaves the same way, and fire is just as unforgiving.

I've had many students share stories of  DIY projects gone wrong where safety gear was an afterthought, or BBQ mishaps where a simple check of gas fittings could have prevented an explosion.

The "she'll be right" attitude can have devastating consequences.

Furthermore, in rural or remote Australian settings, access to immediate advanced medical care can be delayed, making correct initial first aid and a well-stocked first aid kit (especially one with good burn treatments) even more critical.

The long-term reality is that even a "moderate" burn can mean weeks or months of painful dressing changes, physiotherapy, and a disruption to life that most people never anticipate.

Critical First Aid for Burns: ANZCOR Guidelines for Australians

Knowing the correct first aid can dramatically improve the outcome of a burn injury. The Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation (ANZCOR) provides clear guidelines. Remember: Cool the burn, but warm the patient.

ANZCOR Guideline 9.1.3 - Burns: First Aid Steps

Ensure Safety:

For yourself, the casualty, and bystanders. If there's ongoing danger (e.g., fire, electricity), address this first.

STOP the Burning Process:

  • If clothing is on fire: STOP, DROP, COVER (face), and ROLL. Smother flames with a blanket or water.

  • Remove the casualty from the source of the burn.

COOL the Burn:

  • Immediately place the burned area under cool running water for 20 minutes. This should be done as soon as possible, ideally within 3 hours of the burn occurring.

  • Use clean, cool-to-tepid water (around 15°C is ideal). Do not use ice or iced water, as this can worsen the injury.

  • If running water is unavailable, use hydrogels, or immerse the burn in cool water, or apply cool, wet compresses, changing them frequently.

Remove Clothing and Jewellery:

  • Gently remove any clothing and jewellery from the burned area, unless it is stuck to the burn. If stuck, leave it in place. Materials can retain heat and constrict swelling.

Warm the Patient:

  • While cooling the burn, ensure the rest of the patient is kept warm to prevent hypothermia. This is especially important for large burns or in cooler environments. Cover unburnt areas with a blanket.

Cover the Burn:

  • After 20 minutes of cooling, cover the burn with a loose, light, non-stick dressing. Cling film (Glad Wrap) is a good temporary option as it's sterile from the roll and doesn't stick – lay it on, don't wrap tightly. Alternatively, use a clean, lint-free cloth or a sterile burn dressing.
  • Do NOT apply ointments, creams, lotions, butter, toothpaste, or fats to the burn. These can trap heat, increase the risk of infection, and interfere with medical assessment.
  • Do NOT break blisters.

  1. Seek Medical Attention: All burns, except very minor superficial ones, should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

When to Call 000 for an Ambulance (Essential for Serious Burns):

  • If the burn is deep, even if the person feels little pain.
  • If the burn is larger than a 20-cent piece (or the size of the casualty's palm for larger burns).
  • For any burns to the airway (indicated by soot in nose/mouth, hoarse voice, difficulty breathing), face, hands, feet, genitals, or major joints.
  • For electrical burns or chemical burns (ensure the chemical is identified and removed/diluted if safe to do so – flush chemical burns with copious amounts of water).
  • If the casualty is a child, elderly, or has other medical conditions.
  • If you are unsure about the severity.
  • If the casualty shows signs of shock (pale, cold, clammy skin, rapid pulse, dizziness, confusion).

After the Injury: Recovery & Prevention

Recovery from a significant burn can be a long journey.

Prevention remains the best strategy.

Regularly assess your home, workshop, and recreational activities for burn hazards. Ensure you have working smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire blankets.

And critically, have a comprehensive first aid kit readily accessible, one that's well-stocked with burn dressings and other essentials for managing injuries common in Australia.

Being prepared and informed can make all the difference in an emergency.

Don't let an accidental burn derail your life.

 

Australian External References for E-A-T:

  1. ANZCOR (Australian and New Zealand Committee on Resuscitation): The primary source for resuscitation and first aid guidelines in Australia (anzcor.org). Guideline 9.1.3 specifically covers burns.

  2. Healthdirect Australia: Government-funded service providing trusted health information and advice, including detailed guidance on burn first aid and care (healthdirect.gov.au).

  3. The Julian Burton Burns Trust: An Australian charity dedicated to burn prevention, care, and research, offering valuable resources for the community (https://www.google.com/search?q=burnstrust.com.au).

  4. Fiona Wood Foundation: Led by renowned Australian burns specialist Professor Fiona Wood, this foundation focuses on burn research and improving outcomes for burn patients (fionawoodfoundation.com).

  5. WorkSafe Australia (Safe Work Australia): While there isn't a single "WorkSafe Australia," Safe Work Australia is the national policy body. State-based WorkSafe/WorkCover authorities (e.g., SafeWork NSW, WorkSafe Victoria) provide extensive information on workplace burn prevention and safety relevant to adults. (safeworkaustralia.gov.au) Okay, here's an SEO blog post tailored to "Understanding how adults get accidental burns, complications of burns in Australia," incorporating your specific requirements:

 

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