Heating and hot water safety advice for older people from the national Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk)

17 January 2011 – Older people, in particular the frail elderly over 75 years of age, are most at risk and vulnerable to burns and scalding accidents. Figures show that nearly 600 people suffer the effects of a severe scald injury in the UK each year. The figures also show that older people are four to five times at greater risk than the population as a whole in accidents involving contact with hot water. These accidents might have been prevented with a routine service and maintenance check of domestic home heating systems. For most domestic properties in the UK, hot water should be stored at temperatures of at least 60 degrees centigrade. This is necessary to guard against the build up of legionella bacteria in the water system. This means that most of the hot water in our homes is kept at a temperature that can cause scalding. The Government is so worried about the risk of scalding to the old, young or infirm that they have recently implemented new requirements in Part G of the Building Regulations so that in all new properties only thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) hot water taps are fitted. These work by mixing in some cold water to ensure the temperature is safe. These can be fitted to showers and in bathrooms. Bob Towse, technical and safety consultant for the Heating Helpline, comments, “The Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), along with other industry bodies, is keen to support the installation of mixing controls (TMVs) in all new homes, and the on-going maintenance and updating of existing hot water systems to ensure they are fitted with thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs). “Elderly people are especially at risk and our advice to them is to ask a reputable heating engineer to install the controls in bathrooms. The heating engineer will also be able to advise if there are other hot water outlets in the home that should also have controls fitted”. Heating Helpline top tips to avoid burns and scalds around the home – this advice is also aimed at landlords, carers and those who take responsibility for old people. Water at the point of delivery to the bath should be no more than 46° C to help prevent scalding. Fit TMVs to baths, showers and bathroom basins. When running a bath, if it does not have a TMV fitted, always turn the cold water on first. Try not to carry hot liquids further than necessary, perhaps re-arranging the tea/coffee-making area to accommodate this. Always use rear hot plates and turn the panhandles away from the front of the cooker. Ensure that hot water bottles are of good quality and do not show signs of wear. Fit a hot water bottle cover. Make sure you check your electric blankets for safety regularly – any signs of damage to the blanket or its wiring suggest that it is time for a change! For more information on heating controls or to find a reputable heating engineer in your area, please contact the Heating Helpline on 0800 840 4069 or visit the website: http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk. Ends