Tap Water Burns in Handicapped Children

Abstract

The original tap water burn series included three handicapped children, but the extent of their special risk of injury was not appreciated or emphasized.1 When I (K.W.F.) presented that burn series to the medical staff at Children's Orthopedic Hospital and Medical Center, my colleagues in the handicapped children's clinic suggested the possible increased risk to their patients because of their anesthesia and motor dysfunction. In September 1978, we sent letters to the 730 families of those clinic patients informing them that tap water can cause severe burns and that their children might be at a greater risk of injury. We suggested that they set back their water heater thermostats to 49 to 54 C (120 to 130 F).