General News
5 August, 2025
Prevent burns this winter
As many of us seek relief from the bite of the winter chill, Ambulance Victoria (AV) is educating the community about burn prevention and correct treatment.
AV Loddon Mallee director regional and clinical operations Matt McCrohan said burn preven-tion should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.
“When the temperature drops, we often reach for products to help ease the cold, whether that be warm food or drink, heaters or hot water bottles and heat packs,” he said.
“While these are all common household items, they can be dangerous if used incorrectly or by unsupervised children.
“There are a few simple steps that can significantly reduce the risk of burn injuries in high-risk places such as kitchens, bathrooms, around heaters and campsites.”
Burn prevention tips:
• Always supervise children in the kitchen and keep hot items out of reach, such as the kettle or coffee mugs, and turn pot handles so they can’t be pulled down.
• Always test bath temperatures before letting your child enter.
• Remain vigilant around open flames, keep them out of reach of children and away from flammable materials.
• Make sure safety guards are around fireplaces and always use water to fully extinguish campfires.
All burns can be serious and it’s important to know how to treat them properly and when to call for emergency assistance.
Treatment is the same for all burn injuries and should begin with holding the burnt area under cool running water for 20 minutes. Clothing or jewellery that is not stuck to the burn should be removed.
Do not apply ice or food products, such as butter, to the burn as these can make the injury worse.
For minor burns, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) is a great resource available 24/7 via video link.
“VVED is a convenient, free service that virtually connects you with doctors and nurses from the comfort of your home with no need to attend an emergency depart-ment,” Mr McCrohan said.
“It can be used from anywhere in Victoria, all you need is a device with internet and video connection.”
For serious burns or emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).