Water play can be a great source of fun and exercise. You’ll enjoy the water experience more by knowing and practicing safety precautions.
With this article, DRF Water Heating Solutions will help you to learn how to keep your child safe as he splashes.
Hot water burns can put a child in the hospital or even cause death. The burns happen most often in the bathroom and tend to be more severe because a larger portion of the body is burned.
Lots of scalds happen in the bathroom when:
- a child is placed in a dangerously hot bath
- hot water is added once a child is already in the water, and he puts a hand or foot under the running hot water
- water in the bath hasn’t been swirled, so there are hot and cold areas
- Children turn on the taps themselves
Children ages 4 and younger are at the greatest risk for death from a burn. They may get badly burned because they are not able to get out of water is that is too hot. Always test the water before your child gets into the tub or shower.
You can further safety proof scalding possibilities by setting the temperature of your water heater. This is done by moving the dial’s settings to be under 120°F below the red triangle.
Set the thermostat on your water heater on low or no higher than 120°F. A child can be scalded in 2 to 3 seconds in water that is only 5 degrees warmer than this.
If you cannot control the temperature of the water heater (because you live in an apartment, for example), you can install anti-scald devices on faucets and shower heads. The device will sense the water temperature and keep it from getting over 120°F.
Here are some easy ideas from DRF Water Heating Solutions for preventing scalds in the bath:
- Ensure that the water coming out of your taps is at a maximum of 120°F. This is a low-risk temperature for hot water burns. You’ll need a licensed plumber, such as a DRF Water Heating Solutions plumber, to install your water heater or the hot water supply piping to your bathroom.
- Install anti-scald devices on taps and shower outlets. These are available from hardware and safety product stores.
- Consider child-resistant taps or tap guards in the bath.
- Turn on the cold water first, then the hot. When turning the water off, turn the hot water off first. Teach your child to do the same.
- Don’t let young children touch faucet handles during a bath.
- Make sure all faucets are properly labeled “HOT” or “COLD.”
- Never leave a child alone in the bathroom for any reason. They could get burned by hot water or drown.
DRF Water Heating Solutions are your plumbing and hot water experts. Water play can be a great source of fun and exercise. You will further enjoy the water experience more by knowing and practicing safety precautions.
Feel free to contact DRF Water Heating Solutions. We’d be happy to help answer any questions you may have about your plumbing needs. 630-615-7000
