News
Hot Water Regulations - The Debate Hots Up
29/03/06
The debate on legislation for regulating the temperature of bath water is hotting up with the introduction today of an early day motion into the House of Commons by Mary Creagh MP for Wakefield. She’s calling for anti-scald devices (otherwise know as thermostatic mixing valves) to become compulsory in new homes to start making headway on reducing the number of people who are killed or seriously injured by bathtime scalding.
Discussions of the subject on Radio 4’s Today programme this morning were quite lively, with the public comment ranging from a husband who wanted to report his wife to the Government for running hot water in her bath first, to an A&E nurse who described an incident where a young lady had slipped into her hot bath whilst sitting on the edge waiting for it to fill. This resulted in some of the most grotesque injuries he had ever seen.
There are 580 serious injuries and incredibly, 20 deaths in the UK every year as a direct result of scalding in the bath. Most victims are under 5 or over 60.
The social argument for anti-scald valves is that they will save lives, prevent horrendous injuries and generally make bathtime more comfortable and safe. The economic argument is that with a valve that costs around £80, it will be possible to prevent injuries that could cost the NHS around £250,000 to provide a lifetimes’ treatment and treatment for a lifetime is usually what that level of scalding needs.
The argument against legislation is that it’s the “nanny state” interfering with the nations’ baths and people should be sensible enough to be able to fill their own bath. The other argument is that regulated hot water isn’t hot enough for bathing or shaving. At Intatec, we believe that regulated hot water at 48?C is plenty hot enough.
At Intatec we manufacture a wide range of anti-scald valves and have spent the past couple of years campaigning for anti-scald legislation to be introduced into the UK. In Scotland similar legislation has been passed and comes into force next month. We continue to provide information and comment for the plumbing trade as well as supporting the Child Accident Prevention Trust in delivering their own anti-scald message. Intatec also publishes a book on ‘all you need to know about anti-scald.’
Intatec have tackled the issue of regulated hot water not being hot enough with a survey into public perception of how hot is too hot. Which is reproduced below.
NOTES TO EDITORS
We have readily available samples of thermostatic mixing valves and bath taps that have the anti-scald function built in for you to see and try (although trying them does involve a large element of plumbing). We can also supply you with an electronic thermometer, which is an easy way to try out how hot is too hot for yourself.
An spokesperson from the company is available for comment should you wish.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
ENDS
For more information please contact Clive Reeves on 01543 501111 or email clive@wardlovett.com