The government announced on 21 June 2007 its intention to review Building Regulations to ensure they support the safety of hot water in the home. The decision was warmly welcomed by Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, who said:
‘Bath water scalds are called life-changing injuries by surgeons – they know that, however skilled they are, children will be left scarred for life physically and often mentally, and their families will endure a life sentence of guilt. We now have a chance to introduce safeguards that will stop children suffering serious scalds within seconds, while still allowing adults to enjoy a steaming hot bath. The timing of this announcement - during Child Safety Week - simply could not be better.'
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) is a national charity committed to reducing the number of children and young people killed, disabled and seriously injured as a result of accidents. It is a founder member of the Hot Water Burns Like Fire coalition, supported by Mary Creagh MP, which has been pressing the government to review Building Regulations to support hot water safety. The press statement from Mary Creagh MP can be downloaded here.
A press release from Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of Child Accident Prevention Trust, can be downloaded here.
The written statement by Angela Smith MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, is available online.