Take care with fire & hot drinks

May 24, 2016 | in Public Safety

Paramedics are urging caution with open fires and hot drinks ahead of cooler weather, after six people were injured in weekend mishaps.

In the most serious incident, a man was critically injured in an accident in Gippsland when he apparently threw petrol onto a fire.

A teenage and a man were injured in separate accidents when they fell into fires.

Paramedics also treated two toddlers for burns after they pulled over boiling hot tea in incidents at Cobram and Kingsville.

Acting Group Manager Michelle Murphy said it’s important to cool burns.

‘First aid is essential with a burn injury,’ Ms Murphy said.

‘You need to remove the source of the heat, ensuring you remain safe.

‘Remove any clothing that can trap heat, and put cool water over the burn for ten to 15 minutes.

‘If it’s only an injury to the hand you don’t need to put the whole person under running water, just the burnt area.