Plate 3 gives the anthropometric variation of percent of TBS
of skin as a function of age. From newbom to adult, note how the TBS area of the head
decreases, while the TBS area of the upper and lower legs increases. This explains why
children with smaller legs with a given percent TBS on their legs can have so many
problems with leg burns during their growth period.
The elderly are at especially high risk because of their reduced reaction time. Plate 4 gives some approximations of bathtub and shower escape time
as a function of age.
But it is not only the children or the aged. In one case the victim was taking a shower
in an apartment complex and had a seizure, even though the proper prescribed medication
had been taken as directed. He turned on more hot water while grabbing the mix valve
handle in an attempt to break his fall. When he regained consciousness the hot water was
at such excessively high temperatures that his skin was burned off and his skin had
clogged the drain. The bathtub then began filling with the excessively hot water. When he
regained consciousness he ran screaming down a hall until he passed out due to the trauma.
So, who is not at risk when the hot water supply is at excessively high temperatures?
Burns
