Hot Water Burns (Scalds)
Conditions
Keywords
tap water temperature, social housing, scald reduction, Temperature (degrees Celsius) of hot tap water at point of delivery.
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a passive safety measure, namely a reduction in centrally controlled hot tap water temperatures in social housing using a boiler management system, as an effective public health intervention.
Detailed description
The annual hospital admission rate in England for burns and scalds is 31 children per 100,000 population. While reducing the temperature in domestic hot water tanks is a recommended injury prevention strategy, the UK has been slow to adopt such 'passive' safety measures. However, Camden Council employs a Boiler Management System (BMS) in boiler houses to centrally set the hot water temperature for parts of its social housing stock, providing the opportunity to evaluate various impacts of a 'passive' safety measure, including quantifying the effects of the BMS on average hot water temperatures at delivery, annual energy costs, and annual greenhouse gas emissions; modelling the reduction in scald injuries; identifying the cost-effectiveness of the system as a public health intervention; as well as describing experiences/ perceptions of risk of scalding and identifying health and social benefits of the BMS. Boiler houses with BMS will be randomised to remain at their constant set temperature or to BMS reduced temperature and sterilisation programme. A process evaluation will also be undertaken to assess the acceptability of water temperatures to tenants.
Interventions
OTHERBMS and sterilisation programme
BMS with reduced hot water temperature and sterilisation programme
Sponsors
Camden Primary Care Trust, London
London Borough of Camden Housing and Adult Social Care Directorate
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Individuals living in social housing in the London Borough of Camden where the Boiler Management system has been installed.
Exclusion criteria
* Aged under 18 years
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Thermal energy (degrees Celsius) at hot tap of bath | after 1 minute |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Acceptability of hot water temperature delivered to tenant | Up to 2-3 months post-intervention |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed