Denise Kendrick Professor of Primary Care Research University of Nottingham Jane Stewart

1. An evaluation of thermostatic mixer valves to reduce bath water temperature in homes of families with young children living in social housing Denise Kendrick Professor of Primary Care Research University of Nottingham Jane Stewart SeniorResearch Fellow Nottinghamshire Healthcare Trust (NHS Nottinghamshire County) And co- authors

3. The problem – bath hot tap water scalds in young children • Each year 2,000 ED attendances, 500 admissions • Most admissions children < 5years • Steep social gradient • most deprived most vulnerable • Domestic hot water temperatures can scald in about a second • Cost of severe scald ~ £250 000

4. What is a Thermostatic Mixer Valve (TMV)? • Engineering solution to reduce the temperature of hot bath tap water temperature • No active participation by parents required • Mixes hot and cold bath tap water to pre-set temperature - 46 ºC • Takes 6 hours for a scald at this temperature

5. Aims of the study • To assess TMVs for their: • Effectiveness and cost effectiveness in reducing bath hot water temperature • Acceptability to families • Impact on bath time safety practices • In families with children under the age of 5 years living in social housing

6. Methods • Randomised controlled trial • Questionnaire at baseline • Delivered the intervention • TMV • Educational leaflet • Laminated leaflet on how to use TMV • Water temperature checks at baseline, 3 and 12 months • Questionnaire at 12 months follow up • Fieldwork in Glasgow

7. Participants

8. Characteristics of participants [ ] missing values

9. Acceptability of bath hot tap water(baseline) [ ] missing values

10. Bath time safety practices(baseline) [ ] missing values

11. Hot bath tap water temperatures at baseline, 3 and 12 months

12. Were parents satisfied with the TMV?

13. Acceptability of bath hot tap water(follow up)

14. Bath time safety practices(follow up)

15. Health economic analysisProfessor Ceri Phillips - Swansea University • NHScosts to treat a scald – • range from £25, 226 - £71, 902 • Cost-effectiveness analysis indicated a potential saving to the NHS of • £3, 229, 008 • £1.41 saved for every £1 spent

16. Summary • TMVs are effective in reducing bath hot tap water temperature • Majority of parents satisfied with the TMV and the temperature • Would recommend a TMV to a friend • Feel child less likely to be scalded • However, parents checking temperature of bath water less often • A third of people reported bath water not hot enough

17. Implications • Suggests that parents are willing to trade some inconvenience for increased safety • TMVs should be considered as a scald prevention intervention for families with children • Important to reinforce bath time safety messages about checking the water temperature and leaving children alone in the bath • Cost effective solution – requires interagency working – spend money in one sector to save money in another

18. Funding • Policy Research Programme (PRP) at the Department of Health -Accidental Injury Prevention Research Initiative (001/0009) • The final study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, and paper writing was the sole responsibility of the authors. The views and opinions expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of the funding body. This is an independent report commissioned and funded by the Policy Research Program in the Department of Health. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Department.

19. Thank you for listening!Any questions?