Between 2016 and 2018, more than 52,000 Americans visited the emergency room to receive treatment for scalding burns caused by hot tap water. Researchers note that water from a water heater set at 130 degrees Fahrenheit (~54 degrees Celsius) can cause a second-degree burn in 25 seconds, while setting the water heater to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (~60 degrees Celsius) can cause a burn in just three seconds. Many experts recommend setting water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (~49 degrees Celsius). Injury Prevention, March 2023