What not to do

Myth: Apply toothpaste, butter or ghee on a burn.

Do not apply toothpaste, butter, ghee, oil or any household substance. Cool the burn with clean running water for 20 minutes, then cover it loosely.

Myth: Cut the snakebite and suck out the venom.

Do not cut, suck, massage or interfere with the bite wound. Keep the person still, immobilise the limb and reach a hospital that stocks antivenom.

Myth: Tie a tight rope above a snakebite to stop the venom.

Tight tourniquets can cause severe limb damage and do not prevent envenoming. Immobilise the limb loosely and get medical care urgently.

Myth: Put a spoon or cloth in the mouth during a seizure.

Do not put anything in the person's mouth. Protect their head, do not restrain them, and time the seizure.

Myth: Give aspirin for any suspected stroke.

Do not give aspirin for a suspected stroke, because a stroke can be caused by bleeding in the brain. Call 112 and note the time symptoms started.

Myth: Make the person drink water after every poisoning.

Poison management depends on the substance. Follow the poisons centre or emergency professional guidance before giving anything by mouth.

Myth: Coughing hard can stop a heart attack ('cough CPR').

Do not rely on cough CPR. Call 112. If the person collapses and is not breathing normally, start chest compressions.

Myth: Slap the back of anyone who is coughing on food.

If they can cough forcefully, let them cough. Back blows and abdominal thrusts are for severe choking when they cannot cough, speak or breathe.

Myth: Splash water on the face to wake an unconscious person.

Check response and breathing instead. If they are breathing normally, place them on their side and call 112.

Myth: Put ice directly on a serious burn.

Ice can deepen the injury. Use cool clean running water instead.

Myth: Heat stroke can be treated at home with buttermilk and rest.

Heat stroke with confusion or collapse is a medical emergency. Cool aggressively and call 112. Never give fluids to someone who is not fully alert.

Myth: Move an accident victim off the road quickly no matter what.

Move a seriously injured person only if the scene is unsafe or lifesaving care requires it. Otherwise leave them in the position found and call 112.

Myth: An antihistamine tablet is enough for a severe allergic reaction.

Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Antihistamines do not replace it. Use the person's prescribed auto-injector and call 112.

Myth: Onions or leather shoes held to the nose stop a seizure.

These do nothing. Clear the area, protect the head, time the seizure and call 112 at 5 minutes.