Emil Malaniak, a resident in a senior living facility, was showering when the warm water suddenly spiked to a scalding temperature.
Unable to manipulate the shower valve, he attempted to shield himself with the shower curtain. But within seconds, he received second- and third- degree burns over his legs and feet, and later died from his injuries.
The Trauma Burn Center at the University of Michigan recommends that anti-scald mechanical devices such as thermostatic mixing valves be installed near the water heater to mix the hot and the cold water to deliver it at the safer temperature of 120 F.
Read more on scald injuries experienced by the elderly from the University of Michigan
