Water temperature and burns/scalds

Water temperature

Follow these tips for safe hot water temperature:

  1. Set the temperature of your water heater to 60°C (140°F) to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Legionella.
  2. Prevent scalding by installing automatic mixing valves on faucets, showers, and tubs, or an anti-scald mixing valve on your water heater. These mixing valves should be set to allow a hot water temperature of 49°C (120°F).

It only takes seconds to burn

Children's skin is sensitive and burns easily. To avoid burns:

  • Put anti-scald devices on your faucets.
  • Keep hot liquids like coffee or tea out of your child's reach.
  • Put down a cup of hot liquid before you pick up your child.
  • Keep pots and pans on the back burner of the stove and turn handles in toward the stove.
  • Keep electrical outlets covered if there isn't already something plugged into them.

Bathtub safety

A child can drown within seconds and without making a sound in only a few centimeters (one inch) of water, and hot tap water can burn a young child in seconds. Share bath time fun with your child and follow these tips for safety:

  • Always start and end with cold water when running a bath.
  • Test the water temperature with your elbow before putting a child in the bath.
  • Teach your child to always sit in the bathtub.
  • Always stay with your child when she is in the bath, if you must leave the bathroom, even for a second, take her with you.

Fast Fact

A child's skin burns in a quarter of the time it takes an adult's skin to burn.

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