The Victorian Building Authority is urging parents and carers in Hume and Whittlesea to be extra vigilant around hot water during winter.
The VBA says many household scalds occur in the bathroom where the water temperature from taps and showers is high, and people cannot react quickly enough to avoid scalding.
The VBA’s state building surveyor Andrew Cialini said the state’s plumbing regulations limit heated water temperatures to no more than 50°C in new and renovated bathrooms.
“Children can still receive scalds from temperatures below 50°C so it’s important to make sure that you take steps to stop little ones from accidentally turning on the wrong tap and burning themselves.”
Older hot water systems installed before August 5, 1998, are likely to disperse hot water above 50°C that can cause scalds.
“Hiring a licensed or registered plumber to install a tempering valve if one isn’t fitted is an easy and quick way to reduce the hot water temperature in the bathroom,” Mr Cialini said.
Early childhood centres, schools, nursing homes or similar facilities require a lower maximum heated water delivery temperature of 45°C to protect vulnerable occupants and users.
