Nanny's best chum, the ever "respected" smooth talking bar steward of Nu Labour John Despot the Deputy Prime Minister, has landed himself in a little hot water this week by stating that his office will be regulating the maximum temperature of domestic baths.It seems that Mr Despot is of the opinion that we are just too plain stupid to know as to whether a bath is too hot or not, and that in order to prevent us scalding ourselves he will be taking official action on our behalf.
As part of the plans, which could be implemented next year, thermostatic mixing valves will be fitted in all new homes. These would prevent the water temperature rising beyond a pre-determined Nanny level.
I would point out that the greatest number of accidents in British bathrooms occur as people enter and exit their baths, ie they fall over; doubtless Mr Despot will be legislating against us taking baths as well.
The whole idea stinks!
I thought I saw this on the news, but I was only half watching and couldn't quite believe what I was seeing.
ReplyDeleteSo now I'm reassured I wasn't imagining things.
Is this a scheme to boost plumbers income as they are required to perform yearly checks or fit blackmarket unregulated mixers?
Should I start buying up stocks of unregulated mixer taps?
Abd you lot thought the film "Brazil" was just a spoof on the all powerful Government with Bob Hoskyns as a maverick freelance plumber ...
ReplyDeleteWatch it and weep!
Upon further investigation of this story, I discovered there is a Thermostatic Mixing Valve Manufacturers Association.... wow
ReplyDeleteThe reason behind this is that old biddies become less and less able to feel the temperature as they get older. Many give themselves quite severe burns each year. The issue is well known by anyone who looks after older folk.
ReplyDeleteBut Despot's "plan" is for the legislation to apply to new homes.
ReplyDeleteOlder people, who are at that stage of their lives where they don't feel hot water, tend not to be buying new homes.
Therefore the "idea" behind the legislation, if there really is an idea, is not being addressed by the legislation.
We need guys like this over here on the west side of the pond.
ReplyDeleteWhy just this evening I filled my bath with way too hot water and stepped in without checking it first. Luckily i s able to step back out quickly - imagine the carnage that must be wrought among those who are incapable/too stupid to get out of the water.
'course you guys might have better sucess if you mandated mixing taps rather than temp caps.