Scald Hazards

I attended a webinar on Wednesday which was hosted by the Home Safety Council.  The topic was Preventing Scald Hazards and burns related to water heaters and water safety.  I feel strongly about sharing this information with everyone involved in real estate to help spread the word.  During my home inspections in the Dayton Ohio and West Central Ohio areas, I have been occasionally scolded for reporting and flagging the temperature of hot water if it was anything above 120ºF.  The following information is why I will continue to note water temperatures above 120°F as a safety concern for our clients regardless.

People of all ages can be burned by 140°F hot water in as little as 30 seconds.  This time is drastically reduced to 5 seconds for a young child, and only 1 second at 160ºF.  According to a Home Safety Council survey of American parents, 71.5% of those surveyed did not know what the correct temperature setting for their water heater should be.   The correct setting is 120°F. 

The webinar panel of speakers included Jimmy Parks, MS, RN, and Outreach Coordinator at The Burn Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.  Mr. Parks reviewed burn degrees with us. For those who don’t know, or as a refresher:

• 1^st degree = redness of skin like a sunburn
• 2^nd degree = blistering
• 3^rd degree = skin loss

His presentation included slides of a young boy’s ankle.  He had received 2^nd degree burns to his entire ankle and upper foot from a scald.  The slides were not pleasant and detailed the process of medical care required of the injury.  It involved removal of the first layer of skin.  The photo was not pleasant.  The young boy would undergo a long period of pain and treatments.

If that example doesn’t explain the severity of scald hazards, then the next surely will.  It is called Leah’s Story.  In brief, Leah (an 11 month old little girl) and her sister were visiting their grandparent’s new home.  The grandmother was giving Leah a bath and left her in just 1 inch of water to retrieve her sister for the bath as well.  In the very brief 2 minutes she was away, Leah had managed to climb up and used the hot water handle as leverage.  From her feet to her chin, Leah received 3^rd degree burns over 90% of her tiny body.  Leah passed away after 48 hours in the hospital – 2 days before her first birthday.  Had she survived, she would have spent at least 20 months in the burn unit and at least 30 operations before her 18^th birthday.

My point… water temperature and other home hazards are not trivial.  These issues are serious and should be documented.  No one had thought to check the water temperature at Leah’s grandparents home… it was new… everything should be in working order right? It was set in excess of 130°F.

Water temperature is one of the most documented concerns in my home inspection reports.  I have no idea whether our clients heed the warnings, but nevertheless I continue to document and educate. 

Some simple and helpful advice from The Home Safety Council, H₂otStop, and BC Warner Home Inspections:

• Set your water heater to 120°F or less – or just below the medium setting.  Be sure to test the temperature at several faucets on a regular basis to make sure the thermostat is correct.
• Test the water before children enter the tub.
• STAY WITH THE CHILDREN while they are in the tub.  The phone, or doorbell can wait!
• Babies and young children have sensitive and delicate skin.  Install special tub spouts, faucets, and shower heads that prevent hot water burns.
• Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters, and off of table clothes to prevent spills and children reaching them.
• Avoid hot drinks when you are holding a child.  Keep the Starbucks coffee cups out of and away from strollers and their cup holders.  (This is more common than you think.  Watch the food court next time your at the mall!)  Use a “commuter mug with tight fitting lid if you must.
• Use heavy pot holders when cooking.
• Keep children away from the range when cooking.
• Test micro-waved and heated food before feeding young children.
• Turn pot handles to the back of the stove or use the rear burners when cooking.
• Install anti-tip brackets on stoves and dishwashers as REQUIRED by manufactures.
• Treat minor burns immediately with cool running water for 3-5 minutes. Do NOT apply ice, it can harm the skin. Do NOT apply butter or lotions because this can keep the skin hot, increase the injury, and may cause infection. Apply a sterile bandage to the area.
• If a scald or burn is serious, seek medical attention FAST!

I hope you all have learned something today.  Best regards to all and get your water heater thermostats turned down. Even if you don’t have children, your nieces, nephews, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, etc may use the tub sometime… besides, it will help reduce your energy bill!