Fire Accident – Emergency Procedures – Infographic

Types of fire accidents

• Kitchen accidents like burns from hot liquids, steam, hot oil, gas explosions
• Fire due to faulty appliances from heaters, irons, faulty wiring etc.
• Smoking – related fires
• Burns due to chemicals, radiation and electric current

Categories of burns

The category of a burn depends on the severity of tissue damage.

1. First degree burns symptoms

• They are superficial
• There may be swelling, redness, pain
• There may be small blisters
• Appearance of white skin around the burn area

Emergency response

• Remove clothing from around the affected area
• Pour cold water over affected area till burning subsides (this reduces the chance of blisters)
• Pat dry and apply a topical antibiotic prescribed for burns (do not rub dry-you could peel away skin)
• It is better to see a doctor and get the wounds checked and to take a tetanus vaccination

2. Second degree burns symptoms

• The burned area stretched to the dermis
• There may be swelling, redness and pain
• Large blisters may form, which may ooze liquid
• There could be scarring and tightening of skin
• Dehydration may occur
• Movement may be restricted if it is around a joint

Emergency response

• Remove clothing from around the affected area
• Keep the area dry/ use sterile cotton to avoid infection
• Keep the burnt area raised to avoid swelling
• Keep the injured hydrated
• Take the injured to the emergency care in a hospital immediately or call for an ambulance

3. Third degree burns symptoms

• The damage goes through all three layers of skin
• Nerve endings may get damaged causing lack of pain
• Will not turn white and there will be no blisters
• Skin may be discolored and becomes leathery
• Injured could go into shock
• Dehydration may occur

Emergency response

• Do not move the injured
• Do not give the injured anything to eat or drink
• Do not try to remove clothing. You may inadvertently remove skin
• Call a hospital ambulance as the injured may need emergency assistance on the way to the hospital
• Take the victim’s medical records and inform the doctor of the precise nature of the accident

Tips to prevent fire accidents

• Get your gas cylinder checked when it is delivered and get the pipeline checked regularly
• Get the wiring in your home checked in case of water damage or leaks
• Make sure your appliances are working properly
• Stop smoking or be careful with smoking accessories

 

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801