Latest news with #scalding
Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Grandfather, 75, who died after becoming trapped in a scalding hot hotel room bath may have lived if old taps had been replaced, inquiry finds
A grandfather who died after getting trapped in a scalding hot hotel room bath may have lived had the old taps been replaced, an inquiry has found. Wallace Hunter, 75, was staying at the Pitlochry Hydro in Perthshire, Scotland when he became stuck in the tub. Guests and emergency services desperately tried to smash in the door but were unable to open it in time as it was bolted from the inside and opened outwards. The pensioner was eventually found lying unresponsive in the bath with water running that was so hot firefighters and police had to wear gloves to get him out. He died from third degree burns to 83 per cent of his body. Now Sheriff John MacRitchie has told a fatal accident inquiry at Alloa Sheriff Court that Mr Hunter's death in December 2019 could have been avoided had the annual tap checks been carried out. He added that a 'full analysis' should have been conducted by the hotel after other guests complained about the water temperature. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the mixer tap was more than 30 years old, the probe heard. Its temperature control was 'very sensitive' and did not satisfactorily isolate the hot water when the cold water shut off. In a written judgment, Sheriff MacRitchie said: 'At the time when it was first realised that Mr Hunter was having difficulty in operating the tap, he was conscious and able to describe to Mrs Hunter that he was having these difficulties. 'He was still conscious and making sounds after Ms Cespedes had come from reception and gone up to the second floor and into Room 211. 'In those circumstances, there remains a real and lively possibility that Mr Hunter had not, by the time his difficulties in shutting off the tap had become known to Mrs Hunter, reached the stage yet of his having been subjected to the excessive water temperatures that resulted in his being fatally scalded. 'It is correct to state that it is not possible to definitively state whether earlier rescue would have resulted in Mr Hunter's survival. 'However, because it is known that Mr Hunter remained conscious for a significant period of time without any indication that he was being scalded, after he stated that he was having difficulty turning off the tap, there remains the real and lively possibility that had Mrs Hunter or others been able to enter the bathroom and assist Mr Hunter from the bath and/or turn off the tap at an earlier time Mr Hunter may have survived.' The sheriff added: 'The lessons learned from the death of Mr Hunter should now be utilised to prevent such events from happening again elsewhere, and the findings of this inquiry should alert all hotels or other establishments to recognise the real potential for such a fatal scalding to take place, and to analyse relative risk accordingly.' He also concluded that Mr Hunter's death could have been prevented by doors which opened from the outside. The sheriff said: 'The lessons learned from the death of Mr Hunter should now be utilised to prevent such events from happening again elsewhere, and the findings of this inquiry should alert all hotels or other establishments to recognise the real potential for such a fatal scalding to take place, and to analyse relative risk accordingly.' The inquiry heard Mr Hunter, who had a mild cognitive impairment, was very independent but suffered a lack of confidence around technology. It's not known why he became trapped in the bath, as scalding water gushed from the tap but he had been able to communicate with his wife. A guest in the bedroom below spotted water pouring down their bathroom mirror and contacted reception. The former manager of the Pitlochry Hydro hotel told the inquiry that replacement locks with a safety release would have only cost an estimated £80 a room. The Daily Mail has approached Pitlochry Hydro for comment.
CBC
23-07-2025
- CBC
Calgary parents get 6-year sentence after toddler dies from scalding water in diaper
A Calgary mother and father who pleaded guilty to manslaughter after leaving their toddler sitting in a diaper of scalding hot water have each been sentenced to six years in prison. "Their actions indicate a wanton disregard for the safety of Gabriel," Justice Glen Poelman of Court of King's Bench said Wednesday at the sentencing of Michael Sinclair and Sonya Pasqua. "The circumstances of the event are extremely grave," Poelman added, as Sinclair looked at the floor and Pasqua cried softly. Sinclair was given roughly 3 1/2 years credit for time already served in custody, while Pasqua received about 1 1/2 years credit. Before sentencing, the parents told court they're extremely sorry and heartbroken over the death of their 18-month old son in 2021. "I miss Gabriel," a sobbing Pasqua told court. "I am sorry. Nothing will take away the pain of the loss of my son. I failed. I just love my kids so much. "I have to live with this forever." Sinclair said, "I am sorry to everyone who is involved in this tragedy. I loved my son unconditionally. To this day I don't know why I didn't have the courage to call an ambulance." Court heard the child received head trauma and was scalded, with the burns covering a third of his body, after he was left to sit in a diaper containing the steaming water. A pediatric surgeon earlier told court the scalding was so severe the boy should have received immediate care, but the parents didn't seek help and tried to treat the burns with honey. The Crown had asked for a sentence of eight to 12 years in prison, while defence lawyers requested three and five years. Crown prosecutor Vicki Faulkner had described the crime as at the highest end of moral culpability and said the parents saw the boy as a paycheque. Court heard the boy was taken social services as a newborn after his mother tested positive for cocaine, alcohol and marijuana. He was placed in a loving home with his great-uncle, Gerry Bakoway, but was returned to his biological parents months before he died. Court heard the boy died of blunt force head trauma and the untreated burns that led to sepsis. Family members sat quietly throughout the sentencing, wearing orange T-shirts with Gabriel's name and photo. Outside court, Bakoway told reporters he believes the apologies from his niece and her husband were sincere. "They obviously made a mistake. Everyone makes a mistake in this," he said. "Gabriel should have stayed with us, even if it was a little while longer. The sentencing for us doesn't really matter. Nothing will bring Gabriel back."
The Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
I was left with horrific burns after my MAM baby's bottle exploded – I'm terrified I'll be scarred for life
A FIRST-time mum fears she'll be scarred for life after a baby bottle 'exploded' on her tummy and thighs - spraying her with scalding formula. Megan Elston says she was preparing her seven-month-old Koah Keidel's evening feed on May 1st using a MAM Baby bottle that she had been using for the last three months. 9 9 9 After waiting 20 minutes for the boiled kettle water to cool down she says she filled the 9oz bottle and added the milk formula. But just before the 23-year-old went to shake the cup to mix the solution, she claims the bottle exploded at both ends - spilling liquid over her thighs and lower tummy. Shocking photos show the full-time mum's inner thighs with large red burns on them, which then developed into blisters. After taking a 15-minute shower to try and cool her wounds, Megan went to North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, North Devon, where she claims her left leg felt like it was 'on fire'. There, she had the blisters popped and bandaged and was prescribed antibiotics before being discharged to recover at home. Now healing, Megan says she fears she will be left scarred for life and feels self-conscious about wearing shorts and dresses this summer. The mum-of-three is raising awareness about what happened to her after using a MAM Baby product to stop it from happening to other parents. MAM Baby said they were 'very concerned' to hear about Megan's injury and have requested her bottle so they can thoroughly test it and investigate the circumstances around the accident. Megan, from Westward Ho! in Devon, said: "I was just sterilising bottles like I normally do. "I boiled the kettle and waited 20 minutes and then put the water in the bottle and put the powder in. Mum shares horrifying photos after baby bottle 'explosion peeled half her nipple off' "I put the lid on and I hadn't even shook it yet and the lid just popped off. "Both the top and bottom popped off and it kind of exploded. "I waited for 20 minutes because any longer than 30 minutes and the water wouldn't be warm enough to kill the bacteria. "The formula went over both of my thighs and some of my belly. Started to blister Luckily my baby was in the other room when this happened. "The blisters all started coming up. At the hospital they popped the blisters on one leg and dressed them. "When they started to blister it felt like my leg was on fire. "I then went to the doctors the following day as I had woken up and the other leg had started to blister too. All I can say is make sure you're not holding your baby when you're putting the bottles together Megan Elston "It wasn't painful getting them popped but getting the burns dressed was painful as it was sore to touch. "I was worried that I'd be left scarred for life. It's such a big area and summer is coming up too." Since the accident, Megan says she has been back to the doctors and hospital a few times to have her burns cleaned and re-dressed. Megan is now raising awareness about what happened to her as she claims she followed the correct procedure when making Koah's milk formula. 9 9 9 Megan said: "Koah is seven months old and I have been using MAM bottles since he was born. I used the smaller bottles and now I have moved up to the 9oz ones. "I moved onto this bottle about three months ago and have never had any issues before with them. "Koah has a bottle at least five or six times a day so I am very used to doing this procedure. "All I can say is make sure you're not holding your baby when you're putting the bottles together. "It's left me feeling self-conscious and quite rubbish. I'm quite conscious of going out in little dresses and shorts now." Megan says she has since reached out to MAM about her burns and says they have told her to send the bottle back to them so they can investigate further. 9 9 A MAM spokesman said: "The safety of our customers and their babies is at the forefront of everything we do and MAM is committed to ensuring the highest quality standards. "All of our products are rigorously tested and meet applicable safety standards. The bottle type in question is certified to EN standard 14350:2020. "We are very concerned about Megan's injury and have requested that we collect her bottle to enable us to thoroughly test it and investigate the circumstances around the accident. "Clear instructions on safe use are supplied with every bottle. "These include never pouring boiling water into the bottle and allowing boiled water to cool for at least 20 minutes before introducing it to a bottle to reduce the risk of scalding. "While preparing a bottle, we recommend that you never do it with a baby close by. "You should always wrap it in a towel or cloth to ensure the base is tightly screwed on and any shaking should be done gently over a sink with the base facing away from you." How to treat burns Your skin has three layer; the outer layer (epidermis), the dermis (which contains vessels, nerves, hair follicles) and the deeper layer of fat (subcutis). A full thickness burn is when all layers of skin are damaged, while a superficial burn is when only the top layer has been effected. The NHS says to treat a burn: Immediately get the person away from the heat source Remove any clothing or jewellery, including babies' nappies, but do not move anything that's stuck to the skin Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 to 30 minutes – do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter Make sure the person keeps warm by using a blanket, for example After cooling the burn, cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it – a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen Raise the affected area if possible to reduce swelling If it's an acid or chemical burn, dial 999, carefully try to remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing, and rinse the affected area using as much clean water as possible You should go to a hospital A&E department for: All chemical and electrical burns Large or deep burns – any burn bigger than the injured person's hand Burns that cause white or charred skin – any size Burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, any joints or genitals
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Mum shares horrifying photos after baby bottle ‘explosion peeled half her nipple off' and left her fearing she'd die
A MUM claims "half her nipple peeled off" after scalding hot formula "exploded" on her chest. Leona Downie says she was preparing five-month-old Arlo Minles' milk formula on April 30 with the same MAM Baby bottle she'd used since he was born. 10 10 10 10 The 18-year-old claims she waited 15 minutes for boiling water to cool down in the kettle before pouring it into the bottle and adding milk formula. But she says that when she shook the bottle to mix the milk, it burst open at both ends and the hot contents "exploded" over her chest. Leona says she immediately began to scream and jumped into a cold shower to ease the burning sensation, which felt like she was "continuously being stabbed". She rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital A&E, where she was told she had suffered second-degree burns from the hot milk solution. Horrifying photos show the mum-of-one's left breast bright red where the scalding formula burnt her. After having the dead skin removed from her 11cm-long burn site, a nurse dressed her wound and discharged her from hospital. Leona claims the milk explosion "peeled" half her nipple off and that she's now unable to wear low-cut tops in public as she thinks the scarring looks "ugly". The full-time carer is speaking out about her burns to warn other parents. MAM Baby - the maker of the the bottle - say they're "very concerned" by Leona's injuries and are investigating. Leona, from Blackpool, Lancashire, said: "I boiled the kettle and left the water in for a little bit. The kettle was only half full. I was bedbound for two weeks after out-of-date hot water bottle burst and left me with burns over my thighs and groin "I poured the water into the baby's bottle after about 10 to 15 minutes [and added the milk formula] and then began shaking it. "I then remember hearing a bang and both the top and the bottom [of the bottle] blew off. It exploded. "All the hot milk went all over me. My whole body started burning and I thought I was going to die. "The burn was on the whole of my left boob. All the skin started peeling off straight away. 10 10 10 "It was red and very sore. I screamed and burst out crying. "I was in a lot of pain and couldn't stop thinking about it. It was horrible and felt like I was continuously being stabbed. "It was a second-degree burn. I was worried it was going to scar for life. "It peeled half of my nipple off so I haven't really got a nipple. This was from the burn. How to treat burns Your skin has three layer; the outer layer (epidermis), the dermis (which contains vessels, nerves, hair follicles) and the deeper layer of fat (subcutis). A full thickness burn is when all layers of skin are damaged, while a superficial burn is when only the top layer has been effected. The NHS says to treat a burn: Immediately get the person away from the heat source Remove any clothing or jewellery, including babies' nappies, but do not move anything that's stuck to the skin Cool the burn with cool or lukewarm running water for 20 to 30 minutes – do not use ice, iced water, or any creams or greasy substances like butter Make sure the person keeps warm by using a blanket, for example After cooling the burn, cover the burn by placing a layer of cling film over it – a clean plastic bag could also be used for burns on your hand Use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen Raise the affected area if possible to reduce swelling If it's an acid or chemical burn, dial 999, carefully try to remove the chemical and any contaminated clothing, and rinse the affected area using as much clean water as possible You should go to a hospital A&E department for: All chemical and electrical burns Large or deep burns – any burn bigger than the injured person's hand Burns that cause white or charred skin – any size Burns on the face, neck, hands, feet, any joints or genitals "The burn site was 11cm long and 5cm wide and this covered my nipple. "I won't wear low cut tops anymore [due to my scar] as it's quite ugly." The MAM Baby instruction manual says "cooling time of at least 20 minutes is suggested by MAM for the boiled water to cool enough to be used for making up a bottle, however depending on the volume, the water still may be very hot after this time and you must be careful to avoid scalding". Leona said she had prepared Arlo's feeds in this bottle since he was born on December 6 last year. Leona said: "It's not a new bottle. I have had them for five months and used them since Arlo's birth. "I use bottles like this every night and it's the first time it has happened. "I use this bottle up to three times a day and I always make sure the top and bottom are screwed on properly, as they both come off." 10 10 10 Following her scalding, Leona says she has emailed a complaint to MAM Baby and is now using a different bottle brand to feed Arlo with. Leona said: "The pain only stopped a couple of days ago. My skin is really tight so I hardly move my arm and it's just scarred. "Mums need to be careful. These bottles are supposed to be safe for mums to be using around the baby and they obviously aren't. "This bottle is meant for hot milk to go in. Your kettle water has to be 70 degrees to kill the bacteria in the formula. "I let the kettle water cool down for 15 minutes before putting it in the bottle to make sure it was safe for my baby and safe to shake as well." MAM Baby's response A spokesperson for MAM said: "The safety of our customers and their babies is at the forefront of everything we do and MAM is committed to ensuring the highest quality standards. "All of our products are rigorously tested and meet applicable safety standards. The bottle type in question is certified to EN standard 14350:2020. "We are very concerned about Leona's injury and are currently arranging for her bottle to be collected to enable us to thoroughly test it and investigate the circumstances around the accident. "Clear instructions on safe use are supplied with every bottle. These include never pouring boiling water into the bottle and allowing boiled water to cool for at least 20 minutes before introducing it to a bottle to reduce the risk of scalding. "While preparing a bottle, we recommend that you should never do it with a baby close by and always shake gently with the base facing away over a sink while wrapped in a towel or cloth."
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I was left with second-degree burns after a baby bottle exploded on my chest
A young mother has claimed a baby bottle 'exploded' on her chest - drenching her with scalding formula that 'peeled half her nipple off'. Leona Downie, from Blackpool, Lancashire, says she was preparing five-month-old Arlo Minles's milk formula on April 30 with the same MAM Baby bottle she'd used since he was born. The 18-year-old claims she waited 15 minutes for the boiling water to cool down in the kettle before pouring it into the bottle and adding milk formula. But she says when she shook the bottle to mix the milk it burst open at both ends and 'exploded' over her chest. 'I then remember hearing a bang and both the top and the bottom [of the bottle] blew off', Leona said. 'It exploded. All the hot milk went all over me. My whole body started burning and I thought I was going to die. 'The burn was on the whole of my left boob. All the skin started peeling off straight away. It was red and very sore. I screamed and burst out crying. Leona says she immediately began to scream and jumped into a cold shower to ease the burning sensation, feeling like she was 'being stabbed'. She added: 'I was in a lot of pain and couldn't stop thinking about it. It was horrible and felt like I was continuously being stabbed. It was a second-degree burn. I was worried it was going to scar for life.' The mother rushed to Blackpool Victoria Hospital's A&E unit where she was told she had suffered second-degree burns from the hot milk solution. Horrifying photos show the teenager's left breast bright red where the hot milk formula had burnt off her skin. After having the dead skin removed from her 11cm-long burn site, a nurse dressed her wound and discharged her from hospital. 'It peeled half of my nipple off so I haven't really got a nipple. This was from the burn. 'The burn site was 11cm long and 5cm wide and this covered my nipple. I won't wear low cut tops anymore due to my scar as it's quite ugly.' The full-time carer hopes to warn other parents about what happened to her while using a MAM Baby product. MAM Baby say they're 'very concerned' by Leona's injuries and are currently investigating. 'I boiled the kettle and left the water in for a little bit. The kettle was only half full,' Leona said. The Blackpool native has been using the MAM baby bottle since her son Arlo's birth five months ago, she says The MAM Baby instruction manual says 'cooling time of at least 20 minutes is suggested by MAM for the boiled water to cool enough to be used for making up a bottle. 'However, depending on the volume, the water still may be very hot after this time and you must be careful to avoid scalding'. Leona said she had prepared Arlo's feeds in this bottle since he was born on December 6 last year. 'It's not a new bottle. I have had them for five months and used them since Arlo's birth. I use bottles like this every night and it's the first time it has happened. 'I use this bottle up to three times a day and I always make sure the top and bottom are screwed on properly as they both come off.' Following her scalding, Leona says she has emailed a complaint to MAM Baby and is now using a different bottle brand to feed Arlo with. She is speaking out about her experience to warn other parents about what happened to her. 'The pain only stopped a couple of days ago,' Leona continued. 'My skin is really tight so I can hardly move my arm and it's just scarred. 'Mums need to be careful. These bottles are supposed to be safe for them to be using around the baby, and they obviously aren't. 'This bottle is meant for hot milk to go in. Your kettle water has to be 70 degrees to kill the bacteria in the formula. 'I let the kettle water cool down for 15 minutes before putting it in the bottle to make sure it was safe for my baby and safe to shake as well.' A spokesperson for MAM said: 'The safety of our customers and their babies is at the forefront of everything we do and MAM is committed to ensuring the highest quality standards. 'All of our products are rigorously tested and meet applicable safety standards. The bottle type in question is certified to EN standard 14350:2020. 'We are very concerned about Leona's injury and are currently arranging for her bottle to be collected to enable us to thoroughly test it and investigate the circumstances around the accident. 'Clear instructions on safe use are supplied with every bottle. 'These include never pouring boiling water into the bottle and allowing boiled water to cool for at least 20 minutes before introducing it to a bottle to reduce the risk of scalding. 'While preparing a bottle, we recommend that you should never do it with a baby close by and always shake gently with the base facing away over a sink while wrapped in a towel or cloth.'
