DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Roughly 3,800 injuries  -- and even 34 deaths -- occur every year due to scalding injuries from tap water that is too hot, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  Most of these injuries involve senior citizens, children, and water heater thermostats that are turned up entirely too high.  Don't take hot water temperatures for granted.  The Home Safety Council offers the following tips to help reduce the risk that anyone suffers a scalding injury in your home:

• "Set your water heater at 120 degrees F or less or just below the medium setting.
• Test the water before your children get in the tub.
• When children are in the tub, watch them closely.
• Use heavy pot holders when cooking.  
• Keep children away from the range when you are cooking.
• Test micro-waved and heated food for heat before feeding young children.
• Turn pot handles toward to back of the range.  
• When drinking hot drinks, keep them away from the edge of tables and counters so children can not reach them.
• Put hot drinks and food in the middle of the table. Do not put hot drinks on low tables, where children can reach them.
• Avoid drinking hot drinks when you are holding a young child. Using a 'commuter mug' with a tight-fitting lid can help reduce a hot spill if the beverage tips over.
• Treat a minor burn injury immediately with cool running water for 3-5 minutes. Do not apply ice, which can harm the skin. Do not apply butter or lotions because this can keep the skin temperature hot, increasing the injury. Apply a sterile bandage to the injured area.
• If the scald is serious, get medical treatment fast."

• Defining the severity of burn injuries
• Public Citizen warns of stove-tipping danger
• Microwave oven myths that lead to injuries