Kitchen accident

Question 1

They've scalded their forearm with boiling water. What's the first thing you do?

Accepted Answer

Hold the burn under cool (not ice-cold) running water for at least 20 minutes

Answer

Apply butter or toothpaste to soothe it

Answer

Burst any blisters that form

Answer

Wrap it tightly in a fluffy towel

Question 2

Which of these should you NOT put on the burn?

Accepted Answer

Butter, toothpaste, ice, or any cream/ointment

Answer

Cool running water

Answer

Cling film or a clean plastic bag, loosely applied, after cooling

Answer

Nothing at all once it's been cooled

Question 3

The scald is the size of their palm and starting to blister. Is this 999, 111, or self-care?

Accepted Answer

After cooling, get clinical advice — A&E or call 111. 999 if it's large, deep, on the face/hands/feet/genitals, or the person is a baby/older adult/pregnant

Answer

999 immediately for any blister

Answer

Self-care only — it'll heal on its own

Answer

Wait 24 hours and see how it looks

Question 4

Reaching for the tea towel they catch their forearm on a knife — there's a deep cut and it's bleeding heavily. What do you do first?

Accepted Answer

Apply firm, direct pressure on the wound with a clean pad or cloth, and call 999

Answer

Run it under the tap to wash it out

Answer

Tie a belt above the cut as a tourniquet

Answer

Pour antiseptic on it

Question 5

Pressure isn't stopping it and 999 is on the way. What's the right next step for a bystander?

Accepted Answer

Keep firm pressure on the wound, pack it with a clean cloth if you can, and stay on the phone to 999. A tourniquet is a last resort for life-threatening limb bleeding, and only a proper one (CAT/SOFT-T) from a public bleed-control kit, never an improvised belt.

Answer

Grab a belt and tie it above the wound as a tourniquet

Answer

Lift the arm above the heart and stop pressing so you can see the wound

Answer

Wait for the paramedics before doing anything else

Kitchen accident — free online first aid refresher | Brity®