Government issues first-aid treatment guidelines for burns amid arson attacks

The government has issued some first-aid tips for burns and circulated an emergency contact number of the national burns institute.

The statement issued on Thursday listed eight basic first-aid tips to be followed during burn injuries.

Burn injuries caused by arson and petrol bomb attacks arefrequent during the BNP-led alliance’s ongoing blockade and shutdowns.

The tips include rolling on the ground instead of running when fire catches the body. The onlookers need to wrap the victims with heavy cloth to smother flames.

It also warned against putting ice or cold water on the burn wound and suggested pouring lots of normal-temperature water on it.

The statement suggested keeping a bottle of water and wet cloth handy and moving away to a safe location in case of arson attack on a vehicle or closed areas.

The advisory also told victims to take long breaths to keep the nasal passage and mouth clean and suggested covering the burn wounds with a thin cloth before heading off to the hospital.

It asked not to apply toothpaste, eggs, dung, ground spices or any such substances on the wound.

The victim should not be surrounded by people to lessen the chances of infection, it suggested.

If needed, the victim or bystanders should contact the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery at 01775271141, the advisory said.

There have been numerous incidents of arson and firebombing during the BNP-led coalition’s agitation since Jan 5. More than a hundred people have died, mostly from burns during this period.