Recently I have been having an issue where my shower only seems to be two temperatures: burning hot or freezing. As you can imagine, this makes for some very uncomfortable mornings as I jump around deciding which is the lesser of the two evils and I try to only have part of me under the water at one time. Luckily, though the hot water is not pleasant, I have not been seriously injured by it. That is not always the case when people try to use water that is too hot; a large number of people can receive second degree burns from being scalded by hot water. According to HealthCentral, “Tap water scald injuries are the second most common cause of serious burn injuries in all age groups.”
It is particularly important to be cognizant of your water temperature with elderly persons or young children as they are more likely to be seriously affected by hot water. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends the hot water heater should not be set at a temperature higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Though they do name some exceptions, for the most part this should be the guideline. Setting the water at this temperature not only reduces the risk of scalding, it can also help you save money and energy.
