Is your hot water tank set too high?

It's so nice to have hot water ready - especially for those who like hot showers!  However, having your water set too high can be dangerous, especially if young children are around.  The temperature of your hot water tank should be set at approximately 120 degrees.  Here is a chart to show how long it takes to get a burn from your hot water:

Estimated Times/Temperatures Causing a
Full Thickness (3°) Burn in Adults/Children

Water Temperature	Adults (skin thickness of 2.5 mm)	Children 0-5 Years (skin thickness of 0.56 mm)
<160°F	1 second	-
<149°F	2 seconds	0.5 seconds
<140°F	5 seconds	1 second
135°F	10 seconds	4 seconds
133°F	16 seconds	-
<130°F	35 seconds	10 seconds
127°F	1 minute	-
125°F	2 minutes	-
124°F	3 minutes	-
120°F	10 minutes	-

Source: National Burn Victim Foundation

Notice the difference in skin thickness between children and adults.  This is why children are so vulnerable to burns.