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Original poster

To remind you all to throw out old hot water bottles

142 replies

Qwertyyui · 04/05/2024 22:16

I just learned the hard way that old ones do burst and boiling water actually can remove skin from your body! I never realised it could cause such damage and assumed if it happened I'd have a light red mark not a nurse peeling skin off my thigh! If it's more than 2 years replace it!

OP posts:
Original poster
Qwertyyui · 04/05/2024 23:45

Notts276 · 04/05/2024 23:40

I had a HWB split and burn the back of my thigh. It was the worst burn I've ever had. Extremely painful and red welt with peeling skin that was horrific for 3 months and then took a year to heal. I still have a slight mark there. It was an old bottle so I'm definitely more wary now, but I rarely leave the water to cool down so it's a good reminder.

I hope to god it doesn't take that long. I'm trying to delude myself into thinking il be fine for holiday!

OP posts:
GanninHyem · 04/05/2024 23:45

As well as replacing after expiring the number 1 thing you should do is never use boiling water in them. I thought that was drummed into everyone? Can't stand hot water bottles they give me the heebies. Hope it heals well.

Pigglysquat · 04/05/2024 23:43

I had one burst on me recently too. Luckily the rubber split and the water came out quite slowly rather than full on bursting so I noticed quickly before it burnt a large area.

Paperwhiteflowers · 04/05/2024 23:41

That looks very painful. I’ve had a couple burst on me so I never put them on my back but the burns were mild, though painful. I’m much more careful now. Get well soon, OP.

Notts276 · 04/05/2024 23:40

I had a HWB split and burn the back of my thigh. It was the worst burn I've ever had. Extremely painful and red welt with peeling skin that was horrific for 3 months and then took a year to heal. I still have a slight mark there. It was an old bottle so I'm definitely more wary now, but I rarely leave the water to cool down so it's a good reminder.

Justrolledmyeyesoutloud · 04/05/2024 23:38

Omg mine is bout 12 years old. Had no odea they expire but it does make sense. Hope you are ok op x

honeyfox · 04/05/2024 23:35

Oh my god! Get well soon OP 🙏

NotJohnMajor · 04/05/2024 23:31

Tip - when you buy a new one, write the purchase date on it with a marker - that will save you looking for flowers and so on and act as a reminder.

mactire · 04/05/2024 23:21

Londonrach1 · 04/05/2024 23:03

Hope better soon op and great to remind everyone. .can someone explain the flower thing ..is it 3 or 4 years..

If yours says 19, then it was made in 2019. If it says 22, then it was 2022.

OP I never knew this before, thank you so much for telling me!

Teamarugula · 04/05/2024 23:08

Oh goodness OP, I hope you recover quickly! We got new hot water bottles for Christmas but haven’t binned the old one yet, so thank you for the reminder.

FatAndFiftySomething · 04/05/2024 23:04

determinedtomakethiswork · 04/05/2024 23:03

Thank you for the advice. That looks incredibly painful. One thing I tend to do is leave it for ages with the water in it and I know that's really bad for it as well.

Is it? In the morning if I’m in a rush I just leave it in my bed and come back to it in the afternoon, is that what you mean?

Londonrach1 · 04/05/2024 23:03

Hope better soon op and great to remind everyone. .can someone explain the flower thing ..is it 3 or 4 years..

FatAndFiftySomething · 04/05/2024 23:03

Wow. Mine is also about 20 years old. Thanks for the warning and I hope you heal soon OP.

determinedtomakethiswork · 04/05/2024 23:03

Thank you for the advice. That looks incredibly painful. One thing I tend to do is leave it for ages with the water in it and I know that's really bad for it as well.

HangingOver · 04/05/2024 23:02

This is why I use the microwave ones, the wee beads are trapped in several fabric bags

GrumpySock · 04/05/2024 23:01

I have just ordered new ones. Thank you op.

Hope you recover quickly.

Original poster
Qwertyyui · 04/05/2024 22:58

It could have been worse! Deffo painful and I go on holiday in just over 2 weeks so it is poor timing but it is what it is! If I can prevent at least 1 person going through it then its deffo a positive x

OP posts:
PleaseStopEatingMyStuff · 04/05/2024 22:57

Thank you for sharing because I actually had no idea they expired either and we've had ours about 20 years!
Going straight in the bin tomorrow.
I hope you heal soon OP, that looks so sore.

Maray1967 · 04/05/2024 22:54

I chucked an old one last year - wondered whether it would still be ok and decided not to risk it.

I was told to always let the kettle sit for 10 minutes before filling, and I’ve always used quite a thick cover on them. I mostly used ours to warm DC beds while they were getting g ready for bed but took them out when they got in. I have a memory of being told about one splitting years ago.

Hope you heal quickly, OP.

BovrilMartini · 04/05/2024 22:50

Ive got one that’s about 10 years old. Definitely getting a new one tomorrow. Thank you for the warning

CornishTiger · 04/05/2024 22:49

So sorry you’ve been injured.

kelocote gel when it starts healing.

will ditch the water bottle I’ve had for years ( seldom use it)

Firefly1987 · 04/05/2024 22:48

I used to walk round with hot water bottles in the day lol-big cold house and I feel the cold a lot. I got a bit addicted to it. Used to use boiling water as well with no cover-I was very lucky this never happened to me! I think one of my bottles did split one time but I avoided getting any burns.

I basically ruined my legs tho temporarily as I used to put a bottle on my thighs all the time and made them mottled. So I kinda burned myself but in a different way, took literally months to fade after I stopped using them. It's been so much better since I just got an electric blanket instead.

I'm so sorry you got injured so badly from one! Thank you for warning people about the dangers.

Uncooperativefingers · 04/05/2024 22:44

I think recommended temp is something like 50degrees, or boil kettle then wait 10mins before filling the hot water bottle

Uncooperativefingers · 04/05/2024 22:43

Also, use warm water in them not boiling. Boiling water ages the rubber more quickly

RandomButtons · 04/05/2024 22:41

LaurieFairyCake · 04/05/2024 22:39

Fuck. I've one that's about 18 years old !

Bin it and get yourself to dunelm tomorrow.