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Original poster

To use a ten year old hot water bottle?

108 replies

museumum · 12/12/2024 22:40

Are you all seriously replacing them every two years like the advice says? I honestly couldn’t send one to landfill that often.
I might be pushing it with the one I used tonight that’s marked 2014 - but I don’t use it that often.

OP posts:
5foot5 · 13/12/2024 00:11

I have used hot water bottles all my life, I am early 60s,I have never experienced a burst or leak.

I have burnt myself a couple of times when I fell asleep with a bit of me against the bottle. So these days all my bottles have a protective cover.

I don't think these wheat based things really do the job.

BoundaryLine · 13/12/2024 00:10

I wouldn’t.

I had one burst on my child when he was very poorly. At first I though the scream was the headache returning but then saw the red skin. It was absolutely awful. I haven't dared use a hot water bottle again since for that reason but if I did, I'd always buy a new one before when it expires. They're cheap as chips, why risk it?

Rainbow1612 · 12/12/2024 23:58

I didn't realise this, although it makes sense I guess.

I still occasionally use one I got when I was 13...I'm 35 now!

Sparklfairy · 12/12/2024 23:58

If you take the cover off as you fill them up, IMO you can always tell when they're getting iffy compared to when they've still got decent life in them. They get far more 'floppy' when hot the older they are, and you'll notice the back seems thin compared to when it was new. If you get a new one anyway you'll be able to tell the difference I'm talking about, brand new ones don't flop! Grin

You can't tell any of this with the cover on it though, which I suspect is why accidents happen - they sneak up on you.

ouch44 · 12/12/2024 23:56

I reckon mine is over 20 years old but I only put water from the tap in it. Never put water from the kettle in. Didn't know it was a thing until a friend did it a few years ago.

DaftyLass · 12/12/2024 23:55

The burns can be horrific, and depending how they heal, life changing.

KittenPause · 12/12/2024 23:54

Lets us know if it holds up or write this from A&E

GingersOwner26 · 12/12/2024 23:52

I replaced mine last year after seeing something about it on Martin Lewis, it was pretty old before that.

Sia8899 · 12/12/2024 23:51

Have seen several videos on social media recently from people who were scalded so I would just ditch it and buy a new one, it’s not worth the risk for something reasonably inexpensive.

ProssecoSparkle · 12/12/2024 23:50

Last winter my hot water bottle that was a couple of years old burst. I was sitting on the couch with it on my back and could feel the trickle. The other night my hot water bottle of a year old burst in my bed. Like pp I woke in the night thinking I had wet the bed. Love a hot water bottle but sadly there not made to last now.

I digress and to answer your question op. I would use it because it's probably better made.

Florol · 12/12/2024 23:41

HPandthelastwish · 12/12/2024 23:33

You could buy very large ziplock sandwich bags and put your old water bottle in and seal it. If it split the water would be contained and you could get it off of skin quickly rather than if it was absorbed into your clothes or just use it to warm the bed before you get in

Jesus wept! just get a new one!

HPandthelastwish · 12/12/2024 23:33

You could buy very large ziplock sandwich bags and put your old water bottle in and seal it. If it split the water would be contained and you could get it off of skin quickly rather than if it was absorbed into your clothes or just use it to warm the bed before you get in

TheUsualChaos · 12/12/2024 23:22

This has made me think twice about having one on my lap while I'm working from home 😕 it has been freezing this week.

pikkumyy77 · 12/12/2024 23:20

After reading about the scalded ng burns I don’t use a hot water bottle at all. Sock filled with dry rice and heated in the microwave or electric hot pad for me.

Bloodylovecheese · 12/12/2024 23:20

DD was gifted one from grandparents for Christmas. It burst and scalded her. It was a 10 years old charity shop donated one, albeit new.
Not worth the risk imo.

Pattygonia · 12/12/2024 23:19

Another one who has a friend who had an old hot water bottle burst on her - didn't know about the age thing before that happened but I wouldn't use an old one now

mrsfollowill · 12/12/2024 23:19

I was sitting next a colleague in the office who had one on her lap one very cold day. She had just filled it - the side seam opened and the whole thing emptied over her lap. She was in agony. It was awful to watch and we ended up taking her to A&E. Her entire thighs were burned so badly - luckily no scars as we were close to the hospital and this was pre covid when you didn't have to wait 24 hrs in A&E.
I used to sleep lying on top of one years ago but they are banned in this house since then.

coxesorangepippin · 12/12/2024 23:15

my friend used an old one that just burst on her back and really scolded her
^

Yeah it gave her a right telling!

coxesorangepippin · 12/12/2024 23:15

My popped the other year

In the middle of the night

I thought I'd wet the bed

musicalfrog · 12/12/2024 23:13

Happy to use old ones just don't put water in that's hot enough to burn you if it leaks.

OnTheBoardwalk · 12/12/2024 23:12

I wouldn’t

my friend used an old one that just burst on her back and really scolded her

Normallynumb · 12/12/2024 23:11

Please do throw away any you're not sure of
My ex put an old hot water bottle behind me to help my backache
It burst causing deep burns which had to be packed for weeks
I use a microwave wheat bag thing or the rechargeable electric ones are good

Tel12 · 12/12/2024 22:59

Well I've ran electric one and it's brilliant!

UndeniablyGenX · 12/12/2024 22:56

I have a scar in my right breast from a hot water bottle that leaked on me in November, 2002 (coincidentally on the day Myra Hindley died which is how I can be precise about when it was) so, no, wouldn't recommend.

LovelyDaaling · 12/12/2024 22:48

I thought the 'daisy' on the neck indicated when the water bottle was made. The number is the year and the pimple on the petal is the month.

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