Because many homeowners, landlords and apartment dwellers keep their hot water between 140 and 160 degrees, unnecessary pain, suffering and even death occur. Nationally, scald injury is responsible for two-thirds of all visits to hospital emergency rooms and more than one-third of all admissions to burn centers, according to the New York State Department of Health. Between 1990 and 1993, 60 people in New York State died from hot water scalds. In addition, more than 7,000 required hospitalization for their scald injuries.

Hot water is particularly harmful for young children. Because their skin is thinner than adult's, it burns deeply and at lower temperatures. A child will suffer a severe burn if exposed to 140-degree water for just three seconds. Elderly people are more vulnerable, as well, due to less sensitive skin and slower reaction times. Liquids other than hot water can cause scald burns as well. Hot oils and hot drinks can also cause scald burns.

Read examples of burn injuries and law suits resulting from scalding by hot liquids:

Infant burned by Rival Company electric potpourri pot - 6/20/97

A one-year-old boy sustained severe, disabling burns when he was left alone in a room where a Rival Company electric potpourri pot was operating on the floor. A diversity action was brought against the company asserting claims under Maine law of strict liability, negligence and breach of warranty. A jury found in favor of the plaintiff on the strict liability and negligence claims and awarded $2.2 million.