Major burns

Call 911 or emergency medical help for major burns. Until an emergency unit arrives, take these actions:

• Protect the burned person from further harm. If you can do so safely, make sure the person you're helping is not in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to smoke or heat. But don't remove burned clothing stuck to the skin.
• Check for signs of circulation. Look for breathing, coughing or movement. Begin CPR if needed.
• Remove jewelry, belts and other restrictive items, especially from around burned areas and the neck. Burned areas swell rapidly.
• Don't immerse large severe burns in cold water. Doing so could cause a serious loss of body heat (hypothermia) or a drop in blood pressure and decreased blood flow (shock).
• Elevate the burned area. Raise the wound above heart level, if possible.
• Cover the area of the burn. Use a cool, moist, bandage or a clean cloth.