Woman Hospitalised for Two Weeks after Out-of-Date Hot Water Bottle Burst
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There is an important lesson to be learned here after a woman suffered severe burns to her legs and groin after an out of date hot water bottle burst
The bottle was two years out of date
I have used hot water bottles many years old and did not realise they had an expiry date on them
I thought it was only foods and medicine that this applied to
But after reading this i know to look now and throw away any old bottles in the house to avoid injury
Does anyone else still use hot water bottles ?
www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/i-left-second-degree-burns-34088149
I replaced a couple of water bottles recently because I had one leaking out. I even posted some deals on here as I was looking online.
telmel I didn't know they had an expiry date. I used to use one all the time . When I tipped the water out bits of rubber would come out. I used it for a while and then thought this is dangerous and haven't used it since. I up see the microwaveable ones now . The expiry date should be clearly marked on the bottle.
telmel ...Yes the expiry date is important..
I recently replaced my red hot water bottles, they were £11 from Boots a few years ago..
Wow definitely didn't know about expiry date good job I've switched to wheat bags. Is there a date printed on them somewhere
Imnotcheap Not on the ones i have I ,well not that i can see, mine are microwaveable, with a gel inside , i don't know about anybody elses ?
telmel I imagine it would be on the packaging but that's usually disposed of. I know plastic can deteriorate.
Imnotcheap I suppose with the rubber water bottles the seal around the neck will deteriorate with time too
Imnotcheap A hot water bottle's expiry date is usually two years after the date of manufacture. You can check the age of your hot water bottle by looking for a daisy-shaped symbol on the bottle's neck or body:
The number in the middle: is the year the bottle was made
Dotted segments around the number: The month the bottle was made
Filled segments: The week the bottle was made
For example, if the number in the middle is "22" and there are four dotted segments with a single dot in the fourth petal, the bottle was made in the first week of April, 2022.
You should replace your hot water bottle every two to three years. As they age, they are more likely to burst or leak. You can also check for other signs of wear and tear, such as thinning around the belly of the bottle, cracks, or creases.
Imnotcheap I didn't know about it until I read an article a few months ago regarding the issue, I've read a few comments about people using water bottles that were more than10 years old, those would've been made before the days of recycling which I believe is the problem as recyled materials usually perish a lot quicker, try leaving an elastic band in the air and it will become brittle after a few weeks and lose it's elasticity and just break.
pato I believe you but I'm still going to try with the elastic band just out of curiosity
I use them but know they perish at some point. I always have a cover on it so there is at least a layer in between and I never use boiling water, I let it cool a bit before filling. I do check every time I use though that hopefully it’s not leaking. I do replace them if I suspect anything.
I heard about this before, my dad had a nasty burn on his arm as it burst. Scars to prove it. I had one burst in my bed and scared my leg. They are lethal!
I am shocked to read about hot water bottles exploding. Until five years ago I was still using the same hot water bottle more than 10 years old. I decided to stop using hot bottles and wear thermal under wear and pajamas instead. I am boiling hot using a duvet and a blanket covered in a duvet cover.
Not supposed to put boiling water in em.I use them sometimes but more often use wheat bags.I have hootie to keep me warm 
MelissaLee1 this is so cute 
I like owls 
yeah wheat 
bags are definitely safer to use! I’m sure I have one that’s also an owl too
I have only recently heard about expiry dates on hot water bottles, I don't think it's clear enough or talked about enough. You find the date somehow by deciphering a small stamp somewhere on the bottle. Thankfully for me I don't use them as I get far to hot even without one. I'm still in shorts and t-shirt
I am no scientist but I would think the only way a hot water bottle can explode is if the user does not push the hot water up to the neck thus expelling the air before sealing. If not the hot air will get hotter and expand and bang! This should be obvious to anyone otherwise it's like an inflated balloon.
If the rubber is perished, which it does eventually then of course it will leak but hopefully not cause such a serious result.
I am afraid it is like everything, people have to have common sense and read instructions, we can't expect to be babied through life but of course we need to know if there is a clear and present danger, hopefully Harrison Ford will then come to the rescue if needed!
They are cheap rubber so decay pretty quickly, I haven't used a hot water bottle since I was a kid
The microwaveable ones are good M, quick and convenient , but if they leaked it would be scalding hot gel not water, and that would stick to the skin and cause greater injury
There is a little daisy wheel on the hot water bottle which shows the expire date. My nan used to a stone water bottle I think they last forever!
telmel I used to love staying at my nans, not central heating just an electric fire. Freezing cold in the bathroom but getting into bed with a stone water bottle and sheets and blankets was heaven.
eyeballkerry You cannot beat those memories E , with my nan was the same, but only a coal fire and outside toilet , freezing in the winter , and piles of blankets on the bed when staying over
Jinky67 Here's one that is deemed to be safer J
Blimey!!, my hot water bottle is ancient and I'm still using it, just the thought of it bursting has scared me so much...so it's now hot bot in bin.... Thanks for posting this Telmel as l don't watch the news or read a paper.
Always knew hot water bottles are not safe to use cause I’ve read this happen before and never use one! I did get a wheat bag says to put in microwave never used it lol
Someone I know got 3rd degree burns after overfilling his old water bottle. I prefer the electronic hand and body warmers
I have my ELECTRIC hot water bottle, cost around £20 & has a USB charger, this gives me around 3 or 4 hours heat...
Might be worth considering..
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