Could temperature sensitive lids reduce beverage scaldings?

Many residents of St. Louis, Missouri, likely remember the personal injury lawsuit filed against McDonalds over two decades ago, by a woman who was seriously burned when the coffee bought via the restaurant’s drive thru spilled on her. The woman prevailed and the restaurant lowered the temperature that it serves the beverage. Despite the warnings this case provided both proprietors as well as customers purchasing coffee, individuals are still burned by hot beverages.

According to the American Burn Association, 150,000 hot liquid scald cases occur in the United States each year that lead to the need for medical treatment. While anyone could be injured in this manner, three groups in particular are most at risk. These groups are people with special needs, older adults and young children.

One business seeks to reduce the number of those incidents that occur by selling special lids that make it obvious visually when the content of a cup is hot. The lids are heat sensitive and will turn bright red when the content of the cup is above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures this high could burn the skin of someone who comes in contact with the substance.

To mark Burn Awareness Week which is currently running, the lids, which are produced and available in Australia, have been made available to households in the United States.

Serious burns are more than just a nuisance to be treated with an ice cube from the freezer. They can be incurred in many different ways and can take a long time to heal. During the recovery period individuals may experience great pain. In addition, even once a burn has completely healed a permanent scar may be left behind. Because of these potential outcomes, when a burn injury is the result of the negligence of another person, it is possible that a personal injury lawsuit may be filed. While money cannot undo pain and suffering, it sometimes makes it easier to handle.

Source: eNewsChannels, “Smart Lid Systems crowdfunds heat sensitive coffee cup lids that warn of hot contents by turning bright red,” Christopher Simmons, Jan. 15, 2014