Accidental hot water burns during baths and showers continue to be a risk for adults as well as for children. Here’s how you can help prevent getting burned:

TEST: Always test the water! Before you or your child get into the tub or shower, test the water to make sure it’s not too hot. If it sounds simple—it is! Get in the habit of checking first by feeling the water yourself. You can also purchase easy-to-read tub thermometers to use when your children bathe.

ADJUST: Adjust your hot water heater to no more than 120 degrees so the water that comes out of your faucet isn’t scalding hot. Tap water can reach 150 degrees, which can burn an adult’s skin in just 2 seconds.

SUPERVISE: Make sure your children don’t play with faucets when they bathe, where they may inadvertently turn on the hot water. Children should always be supervised in the bath and shower.

It’s important to note not all hot water heaters have accurate or easy-read dials. So to ensure your water setting is at or below 120 degrees, you should test it yourself. Here’s how:

• Turn on any faucet in your home
• Let the water run an the hottest setting for at least two minutes
• Fill a large glass container with the hot water
• Check the temperature with a standard kitchen thermometer
• If the temperature is over 120 degrees, adjust your hot water heater dial lower.
• Wait at least 24 hours and repeat this process until water is under 120° F.