Burn facts for kids

Burning is a special kind of chemical reaction called combustion. It happens when a substance, which we call the fuel, quickly reacts with a gas, usually oxygen from the air. This reaction creates heat and light, often seen as a flame. Think of a campfire or a candle burning – that's combustion!

The word "burn" can mean a few different things:

• Burn (injury): This is when your skin gets hurt by heat, electricity, chemicals, or even too much sunlight.
• Burn (stream): In places like Scotland and northern England, a "burn" is a small stream, even smaller than a river.
• Burning (recording): When you "burn" a CD or DVD, you are recording information onto it using a laser.

What is a Burn Injury?

A burn injury happens when heat, electricity, chemicals, or radiation damage your skin or other body tissues. These injuries can be very painful and need careful treatment.

There are different types of burns, depending on how deep they go:

• First-degree burns are the mildest. They only affect the top layer of skin, making it red and painful, like a sunburn.
• Second-degree burns go deeper. They cause blisters and make the skin very red and swollen.
• Third-degree burns are the most serious. They damage all layers of the skin and can even hurt the tissues underneath. The skin might look white, black, or charred. These burns often don't hurt as much because nerve endings are destroyed.

A second-degree burn on a thumb.

Treating Burn Injuries

If someone gets a burn, it's important to act quickly:

• For minor burns, cool the area with cool (not cold) water for several minutes.
• Do not put ice, butter, or other home remedies on a burn.
• Cover the burn with a clean, non-stick bandage.
• For serious burns, get help from an adult or call emergency services right away.

Guillaume Dupuytren (1777–1835) was a French surgeon who helped classify different types of burns.

Other Meanings of "Burn"

While "burning" usually makes us think of fire, the word has other uses too!

In Computer Games

• Burn is the name of a first-person shooter computer game that came out in 2007.

In Drinks

• "Burn" is also the name of an energy drink made by Coca-Cola.

In Music

The word "Burn" has been used a lot in music, for both bands and songs.

• Bands: There are bands named Burn from England and Burn from the United States.
• Albums: Famous bands like Deep Purple released an album called Burn in 1974.
• Songs: Many artists have songs titled "Burn," including Usher ("Burn") and Nine Inch Nails ("Burn").

In Movies and Books

• Burn! is a movie from 1969.
• Burn is also the title of a novel written by James Patrick Kelly in 2005.
• Burn Notice is a television show that started in 2007.

See also

In Spanish: Quemadura para niños