1 Public Health Association of Australia: Policy-at-a-glance – Hot Tap Water Temperature and Scalds Policy

1. Policy and legislative changes to increase the scope of the heated water temperature regulations to include all domestic residences. 2. Uniform interpretation, application and implementation of the Plumbing Code in all States and Territories. 3. State and Territory governments to provide rebates for the installation of tempering valves for those with the least resources. 4. Collaborative efforts between health authorities, local governments and industry groups to deliver education that highlights the potential danger of hot water and the benefit to be gained by reducing heated water temperature to 50°C in bathrooms. Summary: Each year in Australia around 5,800 people are hospitalised as a result of a burn or scald. Almost 90 % of hot tap water scalds requiring admission to hospital occur in the home and over 90 % are sustained in the bathroom, primarily as a result of immersion in baths containing water heated to unsafe temperatures. Hot tap water scalds have been shown to be particularly amenable to prevention by reducing the temperature of water delivery from hot taps