Tap Water Scalds in Australia and New Zealand

Despite only accounting for a small proportion of hospitalised burn injuries, scalds from hot tap water can have devastating consequences and lifelong impact on survivors. Most tap water scalds occur in the home, almost exclusively in the bathroom. Children under the age of four, as well as older adults over the age of 65, are the most at-risk groups for tap water scalds. The older adult cohort are the greatest contributor to the high mortality rate within this unique burn population. The majority of all tap water scalds are preventable.

The aims of this project were to (i) describe the frequency, demographic profile, injury event characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes for people with tap water scalds admitted to Australian and New Zealand burn centres; and (ii) determine whether there is variation in the frequency and epidemiological characteristics of tap water scalds between jurisdictions.

The project is a collaboration of key stakeholder organisations, namely the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB); the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE); Monash University Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine (DEPM); the Victorian Adult Burn Service (VABS) at the Alfred; and members of the Australian and New Zealand Burns Association (ANZBA). These organisations provide diverse perspectives and responsibilities regarding heated tap water safety in Australian and New Zealand.

The Burn Registry of Australia and New Zealand (BRANZ) is a central component of