Staying Out of Hot Water!

Be extremely careful about the temperature settings of your hot water heater, especially if there are young children or seniors in the household. Children scald easily because their skin is much more tender than an adult's; kids should be at least 5 years of age before being left unattended in a bath or shower. The elderly are at risk because of more sensitive skin and slower reaction times to stimuli such as hot water.

Keep the water heater set at "low," or 120 degrees. This is hot enough to avoid bacterial growth on dishes and clothes without the danger of scalding. If you remain concerned about items exposed to food, many dishwasher models now feature their own, built-in heating devices so that the home's hot water temperature can be reduced. Also now available are sensing devices that limit or halt water flow when temperature runs too high, with flow returning to normal when the sensor cools.

Disclaimer: All information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for advice by your physician. You are advised to consult your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations appearing here.

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