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Burns are a common injury at home and in the workplace. Knowing how to recognise the seriousness of a burn and provide appropriate first aid is something everyone should know, especially if you work in a high risk workplace or supervise children.
Burns cause damage to the skin cells and can range from mild and superficial to very serious and even life threatening. Some burns can be treated at home while others require emergency medical help or surgery to prevent complications.
Common causes of burns
Burns can be caused by a range of sources including:
- Hot liquid and steam (these burns are known as scalds)
- Hot surfaces (for example a stovetop or a hot cooking pot)
- Flames
- Radiation (including sunburn from UV radiation)
- Chemicals
- Friction (when your skin rubs against a surface)
- Electricity
Types of burns
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Burns are categorised according to the severity of the injury. The degree of damage …