What is the safe temperature setting for a water heater to prevent burns in infants?

The safe temperature setting for a water heater to prevent burns in infants is 120 F. This temperature is considered optimal because it is hot enough to provide adequate water heating for common household use but low enough to minimize the risk of scalding burns, which can occur at temperatures above 120 F, especially for infants and young children who have more sensitive skin.

At temperatures exceeding 120 F, the risk of burn injuries increases significantly due to the lower tolerance of infants to hot water. Scald injuries can happen within just a few seconds of exposure to water temperatures of 140 F or higher. Therefore, setting the water heater at 120 F is an effective safety measure to reduce the risk of burns while ensuring that water is still warm enough for bathing and other household tasks.