Contact with hot tap-water?
1 in
130,988
Lifetime odds of dying from Contact with hot tap-water in the US are 1 in 130,988.
Most people think that the odds of dying from hot tap water are slim to none, and they would be right. Only about 20 to 30 fatalities occur each year in the United States as a result of accidental scalding from hot tap water. This is a very small number when you consider that there are over 300 million people living in this country.
So why should you be concerned about the odds of dying from hot tap water? The answer is simple: because even though the risk is low, it could still happen to you or someone you love. And if it does happen, the consequences can be devastating.
Accidental scalding can cause severe burns that may require extensive medical treatment and leave victims with permanent scars. In some cases, victims may even lose their lives. So while it's true that the odds of dying from hot tap water are low, it's important to take precautions to reduce your risk as much as possible.
One way to do this is by installing anti-scald devices on your faucets and showerheads. These devices automatically shut off the flow of water when it reaches a certain temperature, preventing injuries caused by scalding liquid or steam.
You are more likely to die from a lightning strike than you are from being scalded by hot tap water. So while it is important to be aware of the dangers posed by hot liquids, you should not let fear keep you from using your kitchen stove or taking a warm bath on a cold winter day.
Deaths per year from Contact with hot tap-water in the US and one-year odds of dying
| 2020 |
32 |
1 in 10,308,750 |
| 2019 |
24 |
1 in 13,676,666 |
| 2018 |
43 |
1 in 7,597,441 |
| 2017 |
32 |
1 in 10,155,937 |
| 2016 |
24 |
1 in 13,455,833 |
| 2015 |
22 |
1 in 14,574,545 |
| 2014 |
27 |
1 in 11,788,888 |
| 2013 |
24 |
1 in 13,166,250 |
| 2012 |
21 |
1 in 14,944,285 |
| 2011 |
27 |
1 in 11,539,259 |
| 2010 |
31 |
1 in 9,978,064 |
| 2009 |
24 |
1 in 12,782,083 |
| 2008 |
31 |
1 in 9,809,354 |
| 2007 |
35 |
1 in 8,606,571 |
| 2006 |
32 |
1 in 9,324,375 |
| 2005 |
44 |
1 in 6,716,363 |
| 2004 |
31 |
1 in 9,445,483 |
| 2003 |
27 |
1 in 10,744,814 |