Annette Brooke MP joins Amanda Redman in bid to cut scalding deaths

2.41.07pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 30th Mar 2006

Annette Brooke meets Amanda Redman (left) and Holly Devonport (centre)

Annette Brooke MP joined TV actress Amanda Redman, and 10 year old scald victim, Holly Devonport, to support the 'Hot Water Burns Like Fire' campaign. The campaign is calling on the Government to prevent scald injuries by fitting thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) to all new baths. Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield, introduced a Private Members' Bill on 29th March to change building regulations so that TMVs are fitted as standard.

Every day, a child under five is admitted to hospital with severe bath scalds. One pensioner a month dies as a result of scalding injuries.

Ms Creagh's Bill entitled 'Prevention of Scalding Injuries (Bathing in the Home) calls for a change in the law so that thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) are fitted in all new and refurbished homes. 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 has already been passed in the Scottish Parliament and will come into force from May this year. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have also passed laws making TMVs mandatory whenever a bath is installed or replaced.

The campaign is supported by Age Concern, the British Burns Association (BBA), the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), the Children's Fire and Burn Trust (CFBT), Help the Aged, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, said:

"I wholeheartedly support the Hot Water Burns Like Fire campaign. A change in the law will mean that everyone can still have a hot bath and over 400 children each year will avoid the suffering Holly has experienced. I think that's a cause worth championing."

Actor, Amanda Redman, said:

"I have experienced the pain of scalding injuries myself and support any measure to prevent these accidents. If these valves are installed I am sure they will make a big difference to many children's lives."

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield, said:

"We need to change the law to stop these horrific accidents from happening. Boiling bath water causes terrible injuries for children and pensioners because their skin is thinner and they are less able to get out of a superheated bath. Hot water burns like fire. Scotland has changed its law to protect people - why can't we?"

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The cost of a TMV is estimated at £80. It costs the NHS up to £250,000 to treat one severe bath water scald injury.

The Hot Water Burns Like Fire campaign launch took place 3-5pm on 28th March, Portcullis House, House of Commons.

Mary Creagh MP introduced her Ten-Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons at 3.30pm on 29th March.

Case Study

Holly Devonport was 5 years old when she suffered 55% scalds to her body. Her mother was running a bath and went to the airing cupboard to get a fresh towel and nightdress for Holly. Holly was sitting on the edge of the bath in her school uniform when she slipped because of the nylon skirt she was wearing and fell in. When she was admitted she spent 7 hours on the operating table and a further 6 weeks in hospital. All the moisture glands on her legs were destroyed so she will have to put cream on her body for the rest of her life. She is now 10 years old and may need further operations until she stops growing.

She is the youngest of 5 children and her mum Julie is backing the campaign to ensure that what happened to Holly doesn't happen to another child.

Amanda Redman scalded herself as a child when she pulled a pot of boiling soup over herself. She received a severe burn but, regardless of the scar on her left arm, went on to be a successful actress. She is currently appearing in the Saturday night BBC 1 drama 'New Tricks'.