Scalding cases on the rise as trend for boiling taps takes off

A TREND for boiling water taps in kitchens could be causing a rise in scaldings, as NHS data reveal there has been an increase in incidents.

The number of people, including young children, suffering serious burns due to scalding hot water has risen significantly over the past three years, NHS Digital data shows.

In 2017-18, the NHS dedicated 755 bed days for people who needed treatment after being scalded by water from taps, up almost six per cent on the previous year when there were 713 days.

It comes amid a trend for boiling water taps, which now come as standard in many upmarket kitchen installations and eliminate the need to boil a kettle to get boiling water.

Campaigners called for more action to prevent people being burned, including the use of mixer taps.

As well as hot water accidents, a total of 962 bed days were given to people who needed treatment after suffering burns caused by contact with heating appliances, radiators and pipes. These contact burns were up from 914 bed days the previous year and 840 the year before.

The data, analysed by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) industry body, shows that elderly people and young children were among those affected.

Of the 755 hospital bed days for scalding water, 185 were for children under the age of four.

Meanwhile, contact burns led to 178 courses of hospital treatment for children under four, while 111 involved older people between the ages of 85 and 89.

Kevin Wellman, chief executive of the CIPHE, said: “The saddest thing about these incidents is that they are nearly always accidental and can be prevented.”