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How Hot Should The Water In My Home Be?

Showers and baths are supposed to soothe and cleanse, not scald. For children and the elderly, bath time can be treacherous if the water is too hot. When we’re very young and very old, our skin is thinner and easier to burn than when we’re in our prime. Despite how they may think, seniors, unfortunately, are less agile, so they may have a hard time escaping scalding water fat enough before serious injury occurs. On the other end of age, very young children may not be able to easily communicate what is wrong.

Rosie on the House Home Hot Water

A few simple precautions could save someone in your home from scalds:

Set the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Many households set theirs at 140 degrees, hot enough to cause a third-degree burn in just three seconds. It takes 15 seconds at 120 degrees to cause the same burn.
Some safety experts suggest that 100 degrees Fahrenheit is the safest temperature for bath and shower water.
Children should not play with the faucets while bathing.
Never put a child under running water. If someone is using water elsewhere in the house (flushing a toilet or running a sink, etc.), a sudden temperature spike can burn the child.
Never leave a child in a bath unattended, no matter what the temperature of the water is.
Test the water’s temperature with the inside of your wrist or elbow before getting in. Those parts of your body tend to be more sensitive and will help you better determine the comfort level of the water.

Turn a single-handle tap to the cold position after every use so the next bather won’t get drenched with hot water.

Home Maintenance To-Do | #WaterHeater

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How Hot Should The Water In My Home Be?

How Hot Should The Water In My Home Be?

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