Water temperature and burns/scalds
Water temperature
Follow these tips for safe hot water temperature:
- Set the temperature of your water heater to 60°C (140°F) to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Legionella.
- 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.