In a 2007 study over 4 years, 68 patients aged 60 plus were admitted to a New York burn unit, 22% of these seniors hospitalized with scalding burns died as a results of their injuries. 60% were hospitalized in the ICU for over 40 days.
“Their skin is more fragile, their healing is more difficult, so they develop a lot of problems with the burns and then they die,” said Quebec Coroner Catherine Rudel-Tessier.
People with medical conditions that limit temperature sensitivity, such as paralysis and diabetes are also at increased risk of scalding burns.
Water heaters should be adjusted to have a maximum temperature of 43 degrees Celcius or less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, seniors should take baths, rather than showers to reduce the risk of a scalding from suddenly changing water temperatures.
“If you cannot adjust the master water temperature, such as in apartment buildings, then there is another option to protect against scalding burns from the bath. Using anti-scald thermostatic valves on your bathtub will provide temperature control and prevent scalding. Our Safety Plus Aquassure bathtubs are installed with high-flow, anti-scald fixtures with a safety stop at 38 degrees Celcius/99 degrees Farenheit,” says Matthew Longman, CEO of Aquassure Accessible Baths.
Take action today to reduce your risk of scalding injuries!
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/08/04/qc-coroner-scalding-water-burn-elderly.html#ixzz0wNMgF0I8
References:
http://www.burnsjournal.com/article/S0305-4179(06)00318-4/abstract
http://www.nachi.org/elderlysafety.htm