Wokingham

Following the tragic death of a baby in Somerset, who died from being scalded by water from a hot water tank which had a faulty thermometer, Wokingham Borough Council is urging tenants, private landlords and homeowners to watch out for tell-tale warning signs with their water system to help prevent any further tragedies.

The Wokingham guidance, based on Health and Safety Executive alerts, has warned that particular consideration should be given to hot water systems over 10-years-old and systems where homeowners and landlords may have other reason to suspect the adequacy of the initial installation or any subsequent work.

The warning signs people in any home should look out for include:

· Excessively hot water coming out of the hot water taps
· Excessive noise or ‘bubbling’ from the hot water cylinder
· Hot water coming out of certain cold water taps (some storage cisterns also feed cold water taps in the bathroom)
· Steam/moisture in the roof space

Anyone concerned about their immersion heater or cold water storage cistern should call in a professional plumber or heating practitioner.

Cllr Barrie Patman, executive member for Wokingham community safety, said: “Councils treat their role of protecting tenants and local residents exceptionally seriously and will do everything within their power to prevent any further tragic losses of life through faulty thermostats.

“Local people with systems more than 10 years old should be aware of how to spot whether their thermostat is faulty and the warning signs that could arise and who to contact to get it fixed as quickly as possible.”

Wokingham Borough Council