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Plano Fire Department Fire and Life Safety Education Safety Tip—March 2008   Scald Prevention A scald is an injury caused by hot liquid or steam.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 3,800 injuries and 34 deaths occur in the home each year due to scalding from excessively hot tap water.  The majority of these incidents involve older adults and children under the age of five.  Most scalds occur at home and they are typically related to ordinary activities like bathing, cooking, and eating. Children are more at risk for tap water scalds because: a)   a child’s skin is thinner and more sensitive and burns more quickly than an adult’s skin. b)   children cannot move away from the hot water quickly. People of all ages can be burned by liquid at 140 degrees Fahrenheit in as few as thirty seconds.  It takes only five seconds for a young child to be injured by 140 degree liquid; and only one second at 160 degrees.  According to a Home Safety Council survey of American parents, 71.5 percent of those surveyed did not know the correct setting for their hot water heater which is 120 degrees. Follow this simple advice from the Home Safety Council and the Plano Fire Department to help reduce the risk of scald injuries at home: Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less.  On the appliance this setting will be just below the MEDIUM setting. Test the water before your children get into the tub. Always start and finish with cold water when filling the bathtub. Face your child away from the taps to reduce the risk of the taps being turned on. When children are in the tub, watch them closely. Install special tub spouts and shower heads that prevent hot water burns to avoid injury to babies and young children with delicate skin. When drinking hot drinks, keep them away from the edge of tables and counters so children cannot reach them. Avoid drinking hot drinks when you are holding a young child.  Using a “travel mug” with a tight-fitting lid can help reduce a hot spill if the beverage tips over. How do I find out just how hot my water is at the faucet? Run the hot water for at least two minutes. Fill a cup with hot water from the tap and test the temperature with a meat or candy thermometer. Wait at least 30 seconds to gauge the highest temperature. Cooking-related scalds are preventable. Establish a “no kids zone” in the kitchen where children are not allowed to be while cooking is happening. Cook on back burners and keep all pot handles turned back, away from the stove’s edge. All appliance cords should be coiled and kept away from the counter’s edge, out of the reach of curious children who may grab handles and cords. Use non-slip placemats instead of tablecloths if toddlers are present.  Young children may use the tablecloth to pull themselves up, causing hot liquids or food to spill down onto them. Never heat bottles of baby formula or milk in the microwave oven, especially if using plastic bottle liners. Place microwave ovens at a safe height, within easy reach for all users, to avoid spills. Steam reaching over 200 degrees Fahrenheit builds rapidly in covered containers and can easily result in burns to the face, arms, and hands.  Puncture plastic wrap or use vented containers to allow steam to escape during cooking. Treat a minor burn injury immediately with cool running water for three to five minutes.  Do not apply ice which can harm the skin.  Do not apply butter or lotions that can keep the skin temperature hot, increasing the injury.  Apply a sterile bandage to the injured area. If the scald is serious, get medical attention fast. If you have any questions concerning fire and life safety information please contact the Plano Fire Department at 972-941-7421 or peggyha@plano.gov.