WATER TEMPERATURES SAFETY
Resources for Child Care Givers
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Hot water heated to at least 120°F is needed in every child care facility to clean, sanitize, and disinfect food utensils and sanitize laundry. However, very hot water (above 120°F) can be a hazard to children. Tap water burns are a leading cause of nonfatal burns. Children under 5 years of age are the most frequent victims of such burns. Water heated to 130°F takes only 30 seconds to burn the skin. If the water is heated to 120°F, only 10°F cooler, it takes 2 minutes to burn the skin. That extra 2 minutes could be enough to get a child away from the hot water source and avoid a burn.

Such scalds can be prevented by "scald resistant" faucets, which have built-in temperature valves. The thermostat for the valve can be set between a range of degrees. Some states require scald-resistant faucets in all new construction. You should have scald-resistant faucets installed in those sinks or bathing fixtures that children use. You may need to have a plumbing contractor install these faucets. Have the contractor set the valve at or below 120°F.

As mentioned earlier in the discussion of outdoor playground equipment, the water in pools used for wading or swimming should be maintained between 82°F and 93°F.