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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
LaurieFairyCake · 04/05/2024 22:39

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

GreyDuck · 04/05/2024 22:38

Poor you OP! That's a huge burn.
I fill mine from the tap, so it's not quite so hot. I was told that boiling water makes them perish sooner.

LeonoraFlorence · 04/05/2024 22:35

Threw all of ours out after the same thing happened to me. Thankfully the bed sheets seemed to get the worst of it. Hope you’re ok, OP!

UnkindlyMay · 04/05/2024 22:33

Owwwwwww! Get well soon.

(I now fill it from the tap rather than the kettle, because I'm a klutz. Not as toasty, but you can always go and top it up again.)

takealettermsjones · 04/05/2024 22:33

And don't put boiling water in them, especially not for kids.

Hope you recover soon OP!

britneyisfree · 04/05/2024 22:31

DH had a colleague who was off sick for 12 months after one exploded on her back. She couldn't sit on an office chair so couldn't come in.

It's made me paranoid about getting one as I used to love them. I hadn't understood about there being dates so this is super helpful thank you.

So sorry about your injury. Hope you make a full recovery Flowers

Iizzyb · 04/05/2024 22:28

@Qwertyyui I wish you all the best. I got burnt on a towel radiator last year. Please look after yourself xx

Arrestedforit · 04/05/2024 22:28

RandomButtons · 04/05/2024 22:23

Yes - the “flower” at the top shows manufacturing date. Bin 4 years after.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/hot-water-bottle/

Great minds 😉

Muchtoomuchtodo · 04/05/2024 22:27

I had no idea they could be out of date.

Thank you for sharing this information and I hope you recover quickly

Emotionalsupporthamster · 04/05/2024 22:27

Oh man, that looks really painful. Thanks for the warning, and hope you heal quickly.

Arrestedforit · 04/05/2024 22:25

Hobblley · 04/05/2024 22:20

They have an expiry date?!

Yes, here’s how to find it
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/hot-water-bottle/

Linearforeignbody · 04/05/2024 22:24

The ones I bought from Amazon came from China. They have a dial thing printed on them but it doesn’t relate to any of the recognised expiry date displays. 😕

Qwertyyui · 04/05/2024 22:23

They say around 2-3 years. I knew it was older than this but I didn't realise the damage it could actually do and feel like an idiot for thinking I knew better and figure reminding other people would at least be a positive from it! The hospital said they have seen a lot of these since the cost of living increase! I just wanted to snuggle on the sofa with it!

OP posts:
RandomButtons · 04/05/2024 22:23

Hobblley · 04/05/2024 22:20

They have an expiry date?!

Yes - the “flower” at the top shows manufacturing date. Bin 4 years after.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/hot-water-bottle/

Vastlyoverrated · 04/05/2024 22:20

You poor thing. I love a hot water bottle, so this is a timely reminder.

Hobblley · 04/05/2024 22:20

They have an expiry date?!

RandomButtons · 04/05/2024 22:18

Oh my goodness that looks so painful! Was the bottle still “in date”?