On tap water burns.

Abstract

Letters are welcomed and will be published, iffound suitable, as space permits. The editors reserve the right to edit and abridge letters, to publish replies, and to solicit responses from authors and others. Letters should be submitted in duplicate, double-spaced (including references), and generally should not exceed 400 words. On Tap Water Burns The recent article "'Preventing Tap Water Bums"' brings to light a significant public health problem that is often overlooked in communities including military installations. The number of reported hospitalized injuries reflects only the most serious injuries and probably represents an underestimate of the true incidence of accidents resulting from excessively hot tap water. Most incidents are probably accidental, but child abuse or neglect cannot be discounted. Recently at Fort Ord, California, two young children sustained second degree bums in separate incidents as a result of exposure to hot tap water. These incidents followed similar episodes over the past several years and prompted an investigation of conditions in the Fort Ord community. A survey of living quarters in six housing areas was conducted to determine hot water settings in average households. Of 23 living quarters without dishwashers, the average temperature was