Pediatric burn prevention: an evaluation of the efficacy of a strategy to reduce tap water temperature in a population at risk for scalds.
The efficacy of a strategy to prevent tap water scalds was evaluated in a population at risk. Educational pamphlets and liquid crystal thermometers for testing water temperature were distributed to 12 families, each of which had at least one child under the age of 3 and one child over the age of 3. Participants were visited individually by an investigator who monitored tap water temperature in a standardized manner and personally provided the educational material. No statistically significant decrease in hot water temperature occurred as a result of the intervention. The number of heaters operating at a safe temperature was not statistically different pre- and postintervention. Whether participants altered their thermostat settings or not, there was a tendency to maintain postintervention settings at 1-month follow-up. Capitalizing on this tendency by installing heaters at preset safe temperatures was discussed, as were changes in heater design and areas for additional research.
Department of Psychology, Calgary General Hospital, Alberta, Canada.
S
S
Webne
B J
BJ
Kaplan
M
M
Shaw
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002056:Burns / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013696:Temperature; D014881:Water Supply