Plumbing in Calgary: Keeping Kids Safe with Anti-Scald Devices

Keeping your family safe is your primary job. Regarding small children and aging parents, curiosity and bouts of independence make that job increasingly difficult. Every year, emergency services receive countless calls about scalding injuries. Plumbing services in Calgary respond to several jobs requesting the installation of anti-scald devices.

Keeping your family safe is about ensuring they have everything they need, including a controlled and safe environment. Scalding accidents are too common, and children are too curious to leave hot water tanks and controls to chance.

Installing Anti-Scald Devices Throughout the Home

Anti-scald devices can help ensure no one in your home burns themselves with unnecessarily hot water. The controls can be as all-inclusive or minimalist as you prefer. A whole house system is the best option for families with small children, where available. The device prevents water from reaching a temperature above 38°C.  

Shower and Bath Safety

You can install anti-scald devices on tub and shower faucets. The fixtures maintain a specific water temperature using a thermostatic mixing or pressure-balanced valve. Essentially, the device allows for the precise mixing of cold and hot water to achieve the desired temperature up to 38°C — anything hotter can burn the skin.

The fixture is especially beneficial for children who love to play in the bath. With youngsters, it is only a matter of time before they fidget with the knobs and play with the actual water source. An anti-scald device ensures the water never reaches the point where an injury is possible.

Individual Faucet Safety

Don’t forget to install an anti-scald device on the kitchen and bathroom faucets. Kitchen and bathroom sinks are often two spaces where children have unsupervised access to water. 

Besides protecting children, it is crucial to protect those people who are aging in place. Installing these devices in their homes helps them maintain their independence without worrying about burns and injuries.

Whole House Solutions

If possible, you may install a whole-house anti-scald device. These devices attach to the water heater. While you can adjust the temperature on your water heater, you need to be careful about how low you set it. Setting a water heater below 49°C will allow for the potential growth of legionella. 

The device is known as a tempering valve or mixing valve, and it works by combining the hot water from the tank with cold water from the house in a separate chamber. The device will keep the water around 37° to 38° C, allowing you to prevent accidental scalding throughout the house.

Hiring a Professional Plumber

Many products in home centers advertise as DIY-friendly or promise easy installations. Anti-scald devices are anything but easy, especially when installing whole-house systems. A handyman in Calgary can help you with installations, but you should look for a licensed and experienced plumber.

A plumber will have the skills, tools, and experience to handle your installation. They can deal with any hiccups that might occur along the way. Also, when professionals complete a job, you will have more confidence in the finished product.

Anti-scald devices are crucial safety devices for your home. While they are not a requirement in home construction, they are still practical and beneficial. If you live in a house with small children or aging parents, consider hiring a professional for the installation.

If you are looking for a local professional, contact Handyman Connection. The service works with licensed and experienced professionals from various trades, including electricians. Call and schedule an appointment to inspect the home and quote a fair service price. The company will send out a team of electricians to ensure your anti-scald device is installed correctly.