Safeguard Against Scalding Water

If you have small kids, baby proofing your home is probably a top priority.

But you may be overlooking one serious danger -- your tap water.

"Early Show" consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen said when you think of the water in your home -- especially in the tub -- drowning is usually the main concern, but the water temperature can be dangerous -- even deadly -- if your hot water heater is set too high.

Shelly McGammon's 11-month-old daughter Leah died just days before her first birthday, after being burned over 80 percent of her body. But it didn't happen in a fire. It happened in her grandmother's bathtub.

Judy Burke, Leah's grandmother, said, "Within seconds, she was burned. The minute the hot water hit her body in seconds she was burned that severely."

Burke had left her granddaughter for just a minute in a nearly empty tub -- but in those moments -- little Leah reached up and turned on the hot water full blast.

"I never ever thought the heat could cause a child to be burned that badly," Burke said.

McGammon said, "No one ever told me that hot water could burn a child severely, so I had no idea, no idea."

Leah suffered third-degree burns. She died three days later in her mother's arms at the hospital.

According to John Drengenberg, a safety expert at Underwriters Laboratories, thousands of people are burned every year in the bathtub.

He said, "We have statistic that shows that many thousands of people are burned due to tap water, which is something that is so common in your home, and yet can be very dangerous if it's too hot."

Drengenberg says you need to lower the temperature on your hot water heater.

Koeppen asked Drengenberg, "Do you think most people know what their water heater is even set at?"

"Certainly not," he answered. "It's not very common for people to adjust their water heater, but for parents -- especially new parents -- take a look at your water heater, and set the control so the water is less than 120 degrees."

McGammon and her family had no idea their hot water heater was set too high for children.

McGammon said, "The hope or goal would be that at least one person would see this interview and turn their hot water heater down, so they don't have the same tragic accident happen in their family that's happened in ours."

Koeppen added that experts say if run your hot water, and you can put your hand under the water for 30 seconds without pain, you probably have your water set at a safe temperature for your children.

Koeppen also shared a device to help prevent water burns: a hot stop.

The hot stop, Koeppen explained, brings water down to a trickle if the water gets too hot.