Emergency
112European emergency 117Police 118Fire brigade 144Ambulance 1414Rega (air rescue) 145Tox Info (poisoning)
Local time
First aid

Burns

Emergency call 144. In case of unconsciousness, respiratory arrest or life-threatening bleeding, immediately alert the medical emergency control centre and follow its instructions.

Burns and scalds are among the most common household emergencies – especially during a power outage, when candles, portable gas stoves and open flames are being handled. What matters is rapid, correct cooling and a realistic assessment: extensive and deep burns always require medical treatment.

Immediate measures

  1. Stop the heat source: smother flames with a blanket or extinguish with water, burning clothing – lie down and roll
  2. Cool the affected area immediately under running, lukewarm tap water (about 15–20 °C) – for 10 to 20 minutes; children 5 to 10 minutes, do not cool newborns and infants under water (University Hospital Zurich, University Children's Hospital Zurich)
  3. Early on, remove jewellery and any clothing that is not stuck to the skin, before the area swells
  4. Leave clothing burnt into the wound in place
  5. Then apply a dry dressing. If the wound needs to be treated by a doctor: cover it loosely with plastic film or a clean plastic bag (Swiss Samaritans)

What does NOT belong on a burn

  1. No home remedies such as flour, oil or toothpaste (University Children's Hospital Zurich)
  2. No ointments or creams on burns
  3. Do not open burn blisters
Caution: No ice and no ice water – never cool with anything ice-cold.

When to see a doctor or call 144

  1. Burns to the face, neck, hands, feet, large joints or genital area
  2. Larger areas and all deeper burns (white to brownish, leathery or charred, often only slightly painful areas)
  3. Burns caused by electricity or chemicals
  4. Always have burns in children assessed by a doctor – the University Children's Hospital Zurich advises always calling 144 for children
  5. Smoke inhaled – hoarseness, soot on the face or in the nose, shortness of breath: seek medical help immediately, 144
  6. Carbon monoxide has no smell and causes no irritation: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion or shortness of breath after smoke or fire in enclosed spaces – get into the fresh air (watching out for your own safety), go to hospital immediately, 144 if symptoms are marked (Tox Info Suisse)

Scalds and burns in children

  1. Do NOT cool newborns, infants or large scalds under water: cover cleanly, keep warm, 144 (University Children's Hospital Zurich)
  2. Children: cool for 5 to 10 minutes with lukewarm water (15–20 °C) – because of the risk of hypothermia, only the injured areas (University Children's Hospital Zurich)
  3. After cooling, remove soaked clothing or nappy and warm the child, for example with a blanket (University Children's Hospital Zurich)
  4. Even a single cup of hot liquid can scald large areas of skin in young children – if in doubt, have it assessed by a doctor

Further sources

This content is for information only and does not replace first-aid training. We recommend a recognised first-aid or BLS-AED course.