BEAMA applauds Mary Creagh for taking scalding campaign to Downing Street.

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Monday, 24, Sep 2007 12:00

The TMVA, BEAMA’s* group of thermostatic mixing valve manufacturers, has applauded Mary Creagh MP for leading a delegation from the ‘Hot Water Burns Like Fire’ campaign for a meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday, 2 October ‘07. They are seeking his support to change the law to reduce the number of scalding incidents.

TMVA director, Dr Howard Porter commented:

“The move is a big leap forward for the campaign in getting the benefits of these life-saving anti-scald devices fully recognised and the law changed.

“Six hundred people a year suffer severe bath water scalds, three quarters of whom are children. This means that every day a child under five is admitted to hospital with third degree burns resulting from scalding hot bath water. Fifteen pensioners a year die from burns from bath water.

“Mary Creagh is totally committed to the ‘Hot Water Burns Like Fire’ campaign and we are very encouraged by the meeting promised by the Prime Minister taking place. We are extremely hopeful of positive results.”

Ms Creagh introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill in 2006 that sought to change the law so that Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMVs) will be fitted in all new and refurbished homes in England and Wales. The valves set bath tap water temperature to a maximum of 48°C. This would allow everyone to have a hot bath whilst minimising the risk of scalding. Similar legislation exists in Canada, New Zealand and Australia and came into force in Scotland in May 2006.

Mary Creagh joined the campaign after hearing of the terrible injuries suffered by ten year old Holly Devonport from Wakefield. Holly was 5 years old when she suffered third degree burns to half of her body after falling into a scalding hot bath. When she was admitted to hospital she underwent a 7 hour operation and a further 6 weeks in Pinderfields hospital. She is now 11 years old and may need further operations until she stops growing.

Mary Creagh MP said: “I’m delighted that the Prime Minister has agreed to meet with hot water safety campaigners. Hot water burns like fire. But scalding injuries are wholly avoidable. The introduction of thermostatic mixing valves would be a major step forward and help save hundreds of children from horrific disfiguring burns every year.

“Hot bath water is the major cause of severe scalding injuries among young children. Taking just seconds for a serious scald injury to occur, the young and the elderly are most at risk. People wash their clothes at 40 degrees – they need to know that exposing themselves and their children to hotter water can be life-threatening.”

Katrina Phillips, Chief Executive of the Child Accident Prevention Trust, 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. With the support of Prime Minister Brown we could introduce safeguards that will stop children suffering serious scalds within seconds, while still allowing adults to enjoy a steaming hot bath.”

Dr Keith Judkins, Chairman of the British Burn Association's Prevention Committee, commented: "We are delighted that we have this opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister.

We, the doctors, nurses and therapists who treat the victims of hot water scalds, know that these are life-changing, serious injuries. If we can reduce the toll of these injuries as much as Australia and the USA have, so many children and older people will be spared untold misery. We look forward to this meeting with hope and optimism."

*BEAMA – leading ion established over 100 years, covering a range of industries in the electrical, energy, water and power related sectors – see www.beama.org.uk

Media enquiries

For more press information please call Pete Robbins in Mary Creagh MP’s office on 0207 219 8766 or 07734 882 363.

Victor Wheeler, cerulean communication;

Tel: 020 8441 2021; Fax: 020 8440 4070; victor@ceruleancom.co.uk;

124 Hadley Road, New Barnet, Hertfordshire EN5 5QP