Blog / Family Safety - Prevent Hot Water Scalding

Keep Your Family Safe – Prevent Scalding Injuries

The National Coalition to Prevent Childhood Injury, a group of 80 civic, health and professional groups based in Washington, DC, says scald burns account for about 100 deaths a year, most of them children under 5, or adults over 65.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that although most scald burns occur in the kitchen, the most severe scald burns are caused by water flowing into the tub or shower.  More than 35,000 children, most of them 4 or younger, are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms for tap-water scald burns, according to the National Safe Kids Campaign. 

Tap water scald injuries are the second most common cause of serious burn injuries in all age groups.  Scalding is a second-degree burn to the skin or flesh caused by moist heat and is a much deeper burn than one from dry heat.  Many of the scalding incidents are a result of household water heaters being set at temperatures above 120 degrees F.   According to the US Department of Energy, a temperature of 120 degrees at the tap is adequate for most household chores with a minimal danger of scalding and maximal energy efficiency.  It is important that we keep our families safe in our own homes.  Many of these incidents are preventable if we take the right steps. 

Below are ways to prevent hot water scalding as well as how to adjust the temperature on a gas water heater.

Ways to prevent hot water scalding:

• Always set your water temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
• Make it a habit to test bath water temperature before you give your child a bath. 
• Supervise children while they are taking a bath.  Never allow them to play with the faucet or fixtures to prevent hot water scalds.
• Install anti-scald plumbing devices in faucets and showerheads. Anti-scald safety devices that limit the water flow to a trickle if it exceeds 120 F can be installed on showerheads and faucets. These products are inexpensive, easy to install and ideal for older homes and buildings built before code requirements for safe showers and bathtub temperature limits were in place. Passive devices, such as thermostatic mixing valves, can also prevent scald injuries from occurring.  Contact your Plumber for more information regarding these devices.
  

How to adjust the thermostat on a gas water heater:

• Step 1:  Always disconnect the power source to your heater by switching off the breaker.  This must be done to prevent electrical shock. 
• Step 2:  Make sure you have a Flathead and/or Phillips head screwdriver and the owner’s manual.  Reference the owner’s manual if you have any questions.
• Step 3:  Find the panel on your gas water heater.  It is usually on the bottom of the heater.  Remove all the screws holding the panel on and put them in a safe place so you will have them when you need to put the panel back on.
• Step 4:  Remove the insulation that is placed between the front panel and the thermostat.
• Step 5:  Locate the thermostat.  Most gas heater thermostats are adjusted by a dial thermostat. Set to desired temperature.  Remember to avoid scalding injuries; your water is safest at temperatures of 120 degrees F. 
• Step 6:  Press the reset button.  This will reset your new temperature adjustment.
• Step 7:  Replace the insulation and cover panel.
• Step 8:  Restore the power to your water heater.

Keep in mind that by lowering the temperature even a little can bring you big savings … from 3% to 5% if you adjust your temperatures from 130 degrees F down to 120 degrees F.  Also if you are going on vacation, turn off the power to your water heater and save even more energy – and money!