Quick action prevents life-changing scars Practicing what we preach.
Knowing how to manage burns, I jumped into action and quickly followed her and encouraged her to place the little girl under cool running water instead.
Author
CEO & Founder, Dr Susie O'Neill
1 April, 2021
Recently, I was in a cafe with friends enjoying breakfast, when a waiter placed a hot cup of tea on the table next to us. A split second later, a little one-year old girl grabbed at it and it spilled all over her.
Chaos broke out as her mum ran into the kitchen calling for ice to cool the burn from the hot water on her distressed daughter. Knowing how to manage burns, I jumped into action and quickly followed her and encouraged her to place the little girl under cool running water instead. The pharmacist from next door joined to offer support and mum and the kitchen staff were quickly reassured that 20mins under running water for a burn was the correct treatment to prevent life-long scarring.
After 20mins, the little girl went off to hospital and I’ve heard from her mum that the hospital confirmed her daughter will not have significant scarring. Quick thinking and knowing what best to do in the case of a burn or scald is important for parents and carers, as well as people working in hospitality.
After consoling the staff member, the cafe manager asked about information they could put up to help guide staff on the steps to take when accidents like this happen.
With the support of this little girl’s family, KIDS is creating a poster and materials for cafés instructing them on best practice to prevent and manage accidents in their premises so that children are safe and happy.
Watch this space… a new book in the SeeMore Safety series is also nearing completion – SeeMore Safety and hot things.
