What you do for a burn in the first few minutes after it occurs can make a difference in the severity of the injury.

You should get medical attention when one or more of the following occurs:

1. Stop the burning process. Remove the source of heat. If your clothing is on fire, "stop, drop, and roll." That should put out the flames.
2. Remove all burned clothing. Clothing usually retains the heat. This can cause a deeper injury. If clothing adheres to the skin, cut or tear around adherent area to preserve good skin tissue.
3. Immediately pour cool water over the burned area. You should do this for at least 10-15 minutes. If the individual suffered chemical burns continue pouring the cool water on the bured area for 30-40 minutes, or until the paramedics arrive. Remember not to put ice on the burned areas. It can increase the extent of injury and cause hypothermia.
4. You should remove all jewelry, belts, tight clothing that are over the burned areas. A burned are can swell and cause many problems if they are not removed.
5. Do not apply ointments or butter to the burns. These may cause infection and cause the burns to deeper level.
6. Cover burns with a soft, clean, dry dressing, bandage or sheet.
7. Keep the burn victim warm.
8. Seek immediate medical attention.

You should get medical attention when one or more of the following occurs:

1. The individual has deep second and 3rd degree burns.
2. A burn covers a large area.
3. The individual burned has a medical history.
4. The burned areas are showing blisters.
5. There is a high level of pain or loss of sensation.
6. You are burned on your eyes, face, feet, or hands.
7. You were burned by chemicals or electricity.
8. You inhaled smoke.
9. During your recovery the burn(s) does not appear to be healing appropriately.