SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

Hot water, including tap water in bath tubs and showers, is the leading cause of both scalds and hospital admissions for burns. It has been reported that 3,800 injuries and thirty-four deaths occur annually in the home due to scalding from excessively hot tap water. The majority of these injuries involve the elderly and children under the age of five. Since infants, young children, the elderly and disabled may not be able to respond quickly to a situation involving contact with hot water, a constant safe water temperature may prevent scalds.

Some states have enacted legislation to require new water heaters to be preset at no higher than 120 F when they are installed. This hearing will examine legislative and policy options to reduce the incidence of tap water scalding, including a review of Assembly bill 10292.

Please see the reverse side for a list of questions to which witnesses may direct their testimony, and for a description of the bills that will be discussed at the hearing.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

SELECTED ISSUES TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:

1. Describe the impact of a household water temperature set higher than 120 F degrees. How is the rate of scalding impacted above 120 F?

2. What would the impact on energy consumption be if a 120 F water temperature standard was enacted?

3. At what temperature does the growth of bacteria have an adverse impact on public safety?

4. What is the minimum standard for water temperatures in New York hospitals?

5. What other states or municipalities have enacted provisions to prevent scalding?

6. What other initiatives should be considered to prevent scalding accidents?

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to:

Destiny DeJesus
Committee Assistant
Assembly Committee on Governmental Operations
AESOB - 22nd Floor
Albany, New York 12248
E-mail: dejesusd@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4355
Fax: (518) 455-7250

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required: