Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Cooling or Warming the Esophagus to Reduce Esophageal Injury During Left Atrial Ablation in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
06:25

Cooling or Warming the Esophagus to Reduce Esophageal Injury During Left Atrial Ablation in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: March 15, 2020

Children at risk for accidental burns from hot tap water

B E Pichoff1, M Schydlower, S R Stephenson

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Tex.

Texas Medicine
|November 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Young children face significant risks from hot tap water (HTW) burns. Most homes tested had unsafe HTW temperatures, and parents lacked awareness of the dangers, necessitating increased education on safety limits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Young children are at high risk for accidental hot tap water (HTW) burns.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends HTW temperatures not exceed 49°C (120°F).
  • Temperatures of 52°C (125°F) and 54°C (130°F) can cause severe burns rapidly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the risk of HTW injury at a military installation.
  • To evaluate parental knowledge of safe HTW temperature limits.
  • To determine the prevalence of unsafe HTW temperatures in family housing units.

Main Methods:

  • Randomly selected 60 family housing units for HTW temperature measurement.
  • Utilized both electronic and mechanical thermometers for accurate readings.
  • Surveyed parents of children under 6 regarding their awareness of HTW burn risks.

Main Results:

  • 88.3% and 73.3% of units exceeded 52°C (125°F) and 54°C (130°F), respectively.
  • Unsafe HTW temperatures were detected across all tested heater settings.
  • 51% of parents with young children were unaware of the specific dangers of HTW to their children.

Conclusions:

  • Children on the military post are at high risk for severe accidental HTW burns.
  • Current temperature settings are unreliable indicators of safety.
  • Health providers should educate parents on HTW burn dangers and recommend the 49°C (120°F) safety limit.

More Related Videos

Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice07:08

Burn Injury-Induced Pain and Depression-Like Behavior in Mice

Published on: September 29, 2021

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection08:40

Rat Burn Model to Study Full-Thickness Cutaneous Thermal Burn and Infection

Published on: August 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting Body Temperature01:28

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

As a nurse, it is vital to understand the factors affecting body temperature to monitor variations and effectively evaluate deviations from regular.
Factors may  include:
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Temperature Measurement Sites01:14

Temperature Measurement Sites

A thermometer measures body temperature. The common sites for measuring body temperature are the oral cavity, axillary region, temporal artery, and skin surface, such as the forehead, abdomen, and axilla. True core body temperature is assessed in the rectum, tympanic membrane, pulmonary artery, esophagus, and urinary bladder.
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery01:19

Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery

Here is a stepwise guide to assessing the body temperature at the temporal artery using a temporal artery thermometer
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.  
Step 3: Assess the patient's forehead...
Burn Injuries01:22

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries occur when the skin and underlying tissues are damaged due to exposure to heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. They can vary in severity, from minor superficial burns to severe deep burns that can be life-threatening.
The damage results in the death of skin cells, which can lead to a massive loss of fluid. Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and renal and circulatory failure follow, which can be fatal. Burn patients are treated with intravenous fluids to offset...
Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention01:27

Urinary Tract Calculi IV: Nutrition Therapy and Prevention

Management of renal calculi focuses on effective strategies like tailored nutrition and hydration therapy. Adjusting diet and fluid intake reduces stone formation and recurrence, making these interventions simple yet powerful in kidney stone prevention and management.Understanding Kidney StonesKidney stones form when calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and cystine concentrate and crystallize in urine. Factors contributing to their formation include genetic predisposition, certain medical conditions,...