Scald Prevention

Hot water out of the tap causes a number of scald injuries each year to infants, toddlers and adults with physical disabilities. Most people are not aware of the fact that at 140 degrees it will take only 5 seconds to sustain a full thickness burn injury. At 120 degrees it will take 5 minutes to sustain a full thickness burn injury.

Safe Kids has a handout on scald injuries with tips to prevent hot tap water scald burns.

Scald protection devices are a way to stop scald burns from tap water. These can be especially important if you do not have access to the hot water heater such as in apartments or living situations where others set or can re-set the hot water heater. In homes with young children, the elderly and the physically challenged live it can provide that extra margin of safety.

Hotstop Anti-Scald Devices are one national brand. These faucet or shower head attachments are a simple way to install protection.

Plumbing Supply.com has a listing of anti-scald devices that can be installed by a plumber in hot water lines. More and more communities are requiring these devices to be installed in public housing units to protect people.