Senior Safety

Tap Water Scald Prevention Devices
§Direct  (Scald Prevention)
§Tempering valve
–must be installed
by plumber on water line       
§ Anti-scald shower head
–can usually be installed
by consumer on shower head
or faucet
       In multi-family housing, the average hot water temperature sometimes will vary greatly from one unit to the next.  When a building’s hot water system cannot supply consistently safe water to some units, certain devices may help reduce the scald risk. These come in two types:  measures designed to control  water temperature, as listed on this slide, and those designed to prevent people from falling into hot water.  We’ll call them direct and indirect scald prevention measures.
As a direct scald prevention measure, a tempering valve mixes heated water with whatever cold water is needed to keep the temperature below a specified maximum level. A plumber can install such a valve at a connection of the hot and cold water lines. This is most easily done somewhere near the heater during initial construction.
The alternative direct approach is to install an anti-scald device at the shower head and any faucet which combines hot and cold water. Screwing such a valve on the fixture ordinarily does not require a professional. These devices work by halting the flow of hot water until the temperature of the water flowing through the valve falls below a pre-set maximum level.
(Bridge) What products intended to reduce falls can also help prevent  scald injuries?