Comment Submitted by Ernest MacArthur

I am for the new regulation Docket No. FR–5221–P–01. As an amendment to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, the proposed rule certainly hosts humane considerations and practical applications that benefit not only those exercising the HUD Federally constructed homes, but the society in which the homes are constructed. I believe that safety is not a privilege or something provided to only those who can afford it; safety is a right of those who live in our nation. The main reason I stand for the regulation is because there are safety driven requirements that will prevent, mitigate, or reduce the number injuries to people living in HUD constructed homes. Another reason I stand for the regulation is that it will help to keep contractors honest. There are so many ways that contractors can take short-cuts to save money and time on construction and unfortunately, these short-cuts all too often create safety hazards and/or unacceptable conditions for the people who reside in the homes. The proposed regulation will requirement the installation of anti-scald valves that prevent the tap water from releasing at a temperature that scalds. “according to Safe Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing accidental childhood injury, hot tap water accounts for nearly 25 percent of all scald burns among children and is associated with more deaths and hospitalizations than any other hot liquid burns”. In my opinion, if burns can be prevented, than a regulation that supports the prevention is excellent. This particular preventive measure is a low cost solution that will keep an estimated 100 kids from death by scalding hot water, and an estimated 3000 people from being hospitalized and treated for scalding by hot tap water. The regulation proposes to ensure uniform and effective enforcement of Federal construction and safety standards for manufactured homes. This particular piece of the regulation will help to keep contractors in line and to monitor their product. A home should not be substandard (safety and humane considerations) simply because it is low-cost. Enforcement of standards that protect residents from personal injury should be a normal practice. This Act will help to “persuade” contractors to build in that direction and ultimately to foster an industry best practices that will in time become an expected standard rather than a luxury.