SOPHE SUPPORTS MAJOR TMV SAFETY CAMPAIGN

The TMV solution to hot water bath scalds

Hot bath water is the number one cause of severe scalding injuries among young children...

... the elderly and infirm are vulnerable too...

For scalds - the bath is the number one killer!

• Every year around 20 people die from scalds caused by hot bath water.
• 570 suffer serious scald injuries.
• Annually, 437 children (average) under five are seriously scalded in the bath.
• 75% of severe scalds are suffered by children under five years.
• 75% of fatalities are people aged 65+.
• This autumn, alongside several major charities and organisations, SOPHE gave its full support to a national campaign, which aims to prevent these horrendous injuries occurring through the installation of thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) in homes.

Called the 'Hot Water Burns Like Fire' Campaign, SOPHE member, the Douglas Group, took an active role in the staging of the campaign launch event at the House Of Commons, and in the development of the initiative.

Already, it has generated a groundswell of positive opinion concerning the hot bath water safety issue and the TMV solution.

And the campaign continues with further activities planned over the coming months, which will maintain its momentum.

Douglas Group founder Doug Stammers and managing director Richard Stammers are pictured with Mary Creagh MP, who hosted the major conference as part of the campaign to improve the safety of hot water in the home.

Its aim is to prevent the horrendous injuries, which can occur through scalding accidents involving hot water.

The event brought together burns experts, major children's charities and politicians to discuss the 'Hot Water Burns Like Fire' campaign.

The conference was well supported by housing associations, the plumbing industry and the burns doctors who treat these horrific burns.

Through practical demonstrations and presentations from experts, the event highlighted the extreme dangers of hot bath water, and the practical ways to eliminate these dangers - campaign members say that TMVs provide the solution.

The presentations also covered how the audience could best influence the coming consultation.

Message

Richard Stammers said: "This is a very important safety campaign aiming to save lives and prevent horrendous injuries.

These sorts of injuries are totally avoidable.

"The well-attended event proved very successful in communicating the undoubted anti-scald benefits of TMVs and the message that safe water temperatures are essential. TV and print media interest has been considerable."

Law change

During March '06, Mary Creagh MP for Wakefield, proposed a 10 Minute Rule Bill that would require the installation of TMVs in homes

The MP has been campaigning for a change in the law so that TMVs will be fitted in all new and refurbished homes.

The valves set bath tap water temperature to a maximum of 48oC.

This would allow everyone to have a hot bath whilst minimising the risk of scalding. Similar legislation exists in Canada, New Zealand and Australia and came into force in Scotland in May 2006.

The MP joined the campaign after hearing of the terrible injuries suffered by ten year old Holly Devonport from Wakefield.

Holly was five years old when she suffered third degree burns to her legs after falling into a scalding hot bath. When she was admitted to hospital she underwent a seven-hour operation and a further six weeks in Pinderfields hospital.

She is now 10 years old and may need further operations until she stops growing.

Rare opportunity

At the Conference, Mary Creagh MP said:

"Hot bath water is the major cause of severe scalding injuries to young children. They take just seconds to happen.

Yet they are easily prevented with a simple bath valve.

"The Government is looking at the building regulations which govern bath taps. It is vital that we use this rare opportunity to make ministers aware of these dangers and push for a change in the law. Provisions for safe hot water have already been introduced in Scotland - so why not in England, Wales and Northern Ireland as well?"

Richard Stammers continues:

"As pioneers in the development of TMVs, and as members of the Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers' Association (TMVA), we are delighted to be supporting such a vital initiative.

"TMVs control hot water to pre-selected maximum temperatures. The Scottish Building Standards Agency mandates that hot water be delivered at no higher than 48oC. TMVs will guarantee this maximum outlet temperature.

"TMVs delivering hot water at 48oC, and below, will significantly reduce risk of scalds occurring in the home.

By blending hot water (stored at temperatures high enough to kill bacteria) with cold to ensure constant, safe, outlet temperatures preventing scalding, TMVs in homes would prevent these horrific injuries.

While still allowing adults to enjoy a hot bath, and to top up a cooling bath with hot water."

Campaign information/event downloads from www.hotwaterburnslikefire.org.uk

Further information:

• Scalding through accidents involving hot water can lead to horrendous injuries.
• Because their skin is thinner and less tolerant to higher water temperatures than other age groups, the young, elderly and infirm sustain scalds more quickly, at lower water temperatures.
• Often with a greater depth of burn.
• Most accidents occur with the young, elderly or infirm getting into baths initially too hot, or in topping up with hot water.
• Degree of scalding depends on temperature and volume of hot water.
• Plus, length of time body is exposed to it.
• It takes only seconds for a severe scald to occur.

The Hot Water Burns Like Fire Campaign features representatives from these organisations:

Charities

• Age Concern (www.ace.org.uk)
• Child Accident Prevention Trust (www.capt.org.uk)
• Children's Fire and Burn Trust (www.childrensfireandburntrust.org.uk)
• Help the Aged (www.helptheaged.org.uk)
• RoSPA - The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (www.rospa.org.uk)

Associations

• British Burn Association (www.britishburnassociation.org.uk)
• Bathroom Manufacturers Association (www.bathroom-association.org.uk)
• BuildCert (www.buildcert.com)
• Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineers (www.iphe.org.uk)
• Society of Public Health Engineers (www.cibse.org.uk)
• Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers' Association
• (www.safehotwater.co.uk, www.tmva.org.uk)

More information from:

• www.bre.co.uk
• www.bsi-global.com
• www.housingcorp.gov.uk