Burn Awareness Week - Hot Water

When people hear of someone getting burned they usually think it was most likely a result of some sort of direct fire/flame contact. The older you are, the more likely that is the case.

However, the younger you are the more likely the burn was a scald type burn from hot water, or other hot liquids, that caused the burn injury. Below, please find some interesting statistics from our partners in safety at the National Scald Prevention Campaign.

Did You Know:

• Scald burns (from hot water, other liquids, and steam) comprise 34% of overall burn injuries admitted to U.S. burn centers. However, 62% of these occur to children less than 5 years old.


• Hot water will burn skin at temperatures much lower than boiling point (212°F/100°C). In fact, it only takes 2 seconds of exposure to 148°F/64°C water to cause a burn serious enough to require surgery! Hence, set water heaters at 120°F/48°C or just below the medium setting. A safe bathing temperature is 100°F.6,8


• Dangerously high water temperatures were found in 41% of inspected urban homes, with rental properties at greater risk for unsafe levels. Actual tap water temperatures can vary from the heater thermostat settings. Therefore, test water temperatures at the faucet with a candy/meat thermometer after allowing the hot water to run for 1 – 3 minutes. Adjust the heater setting accordingly. Re-test in 24 hours.

It Can Happen in a Flash With a Splash! Liquid and Steam Burn Like Fire!

It is National Burn Awareness Week and it runs February 1-7, 2016.

The theme for National Burn Awareness Week 2016 is Scald Prevention. Did you know that between
2007 and 2013, the proportion of burn center admissions due to scald burns increased from 29.8% to 33.7%. There appears to be an epidemic of liquid and steam burns!

We will be sharing safety tips, messages, and information all week in an effort to try and reduce scald burns.

Always remember: It can happen in a flash with a splash! Liquid and steam burn like fire!

 

It Is Burn Awareness Week! Scalds - A Burning Issue

Scald injuries are painful and require prolonged treatment.  They may result in lifelong scarring and even death.  In conjunction with Burn Awareness Week, February 3 – 9, the American Burn Association and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue are providing information relating to scald burns in an effort to prevent this terrible burn injury from occurring.   

Although anyone can sustain a scald burn infants, young children, older adults and people with disabilities are more likely to be scalded. 

 

Did you know that tap water scalds are often more severe than cooking-related scalds?  Our partner in safety, The American Burn Association, recommends the following simple safety tips to decrease the risk to yourself and those you love from tap water scalds.

• Set home water heater thermostats to deliver water at a temperature no higher than 120

degrees Fahrenheit.  An easy method to test this is to allow hot water to run for three to five minutes, then test with a candy, meat or water thermometer.  Adjust the water heater and wait a day to let the temperature drop.  Re-test and re-adjust as necessary.

• Provide constant adult supervision of young children or anyone who may experience

difficulty removing themselves from hot water on their own.  Gather all necessary supplies before placing a child in the tub, and keep them within easy reach.

• Fill tub to desired level before getting in.  Run cold water first, then add hot.  Turn off the hot water first.  This can prevent scalding in case someone should fall in while the tub is filling.  Mix the water thoroughly and check the temperature by moving your elbow, wrist or hand with spread fingers through the water before allowing someone to get in.

• Install grab bars, shower seats or non-slip flooring in tubs or showers if the person is

unsteady or weak.

• Avoid flushing toilets, running water or using the dish- or clothes washer while anyone is showering.

• Install anti-scald or tempering devices.  These heat sensitive instruments stop or interrupt the flow of water when the temperature reaches a pre-determined level and prevent hot water that is too hot from coming out of the tap.  

Cooking-related scalds are also easy to prevent.  Some things you can do to make your home safer from cooking-related burns include:

• Establish a “kid zone” out of the traffic path between the stove and sink where children

can safely play and still be supervised.  Keep young children in high chairs or play yards, a safe distance from counter- or stovetops, hot liquids, hot surfaces or other cooking hazards.

• Cook on back burners when young children are present.  Keep all pot handles turned back, away from the stove edge.  All appliance cords should be coiled and away from the counter edge.  During mealtime, place hot items in the center of the table, at least 10 inches from the table edge.  Use non-slip placemats instead of tablecloths if toddlers are present.  Never drink or carry hot liquids while carrying or holding a child.  Quick motions may cause spilling of the liquid onto the child. 

It’s Burn Awareness Week! Theme This Year: Scalds - A Burning Issue

Most burns occur in the home, usually in the kitchen or bathroom.  Scald injuries affect all ages. Young children and the elderly are most vulnerable. This is why Montgomery County Fire & Rescue and the American Burn Association want to provide you with information on scald injury prevention and recommends the following simple safety tips to decrease the risk to yourself and those you love from scalds:

• Set home water heater thermostats to deliver water at a temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  An easy method to test this is to allow hot water to run for three to five minutes, then test with a candy, meat or water thermometer.  Adjust the water heater and wait a day to let the temperature drop.  Re-test and re-adjust as necessary. 
• Provide constant adult supervision of young children or anyone who may experience difficulty removing themselves from hot water on their own.  Gather all necessary supplies before placing a child in the tub, and keep them within easy reach. 
• Fill tub to desired level before getting in.  Run cold water first, then add hot.  Turn off the hot water first.  This can prevent scalding in case someone should fall in while the tub is filling.  Mix the water thoroughly and check the temperature by moving your elbow, wrist or hand with spread fingers through the water before allowing someone to get in. 
• Install grab bars, shower seats or non-slip flooring in tubs or showers if the person is unsteady or weak. 
• Avoid flushing toilets, running water or using the dish- or clothes washer while anyone is showering. 

• Install anti-scald or tempering devices.  These heat sensitive instruments stop or interrupt the flow of water when the temperature reaches a pre-determined level and prevent hot water that is too hot from coming out of the tap. 

Cooking-related scalds are also easy to prevent.  Some things you can do to make your home safer from cooking-related burns include:

• Establish a “kid zone” out of the traffic path between the stove and sink where children can safely play and still be supervised.  Keep young children in high chairs or play yards, a safe distance from counter- or stovetops, hot liquids, hot surfaces or other cooking hazards. 

• Cook on back burners when young children are present. Keep all pot handles turned back, away from the stove edge.  All appliance cords should be coiled and away from the counter edge. 

• During mealtime, place hot items in the center of the table, at least 10 inches from the table edge. 

• Use non-slip placemats instead of tablecloths if toddlers are present. 

• Never drink or carry hot liquids while carrying or holding a child.  Quick motions may cause spilling of the liquid onto the child.