In this study the incidence of injury caused by kettle scalds among patients admitted to a large burns unit was investigated retrospectively over a 49-year period, 1944-1993. For the first 30 years the incidence was found to be constant. Since then, there has been a marked increase in the number of kettle scalds to children. This is attributed to changes in kettle design and wider availability of electric kettles. The nature of the problem is discussed together with suggestions for remedial action.