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Original poster

To remind people NOT to use hot water bottles?

488 replies

Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:40

There is another thread running about cold weather and hit water bottles are being recommended as safe. They are not.

Get a heated throw or the microwaveable bags.

If you must use one, don’t use boiling water.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5068468-to-remind-you-all-to-throw-out-old-hot-water-bottles

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5176765-water-bottle-exploded

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2kd7k2e48jo

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdxnez4zxkno

Picture of Sharon Portingale smiling

Hot water bottle warning after woman suffers severe burns

Sharon Portingale woke up with an oozing blister and still has mobility problems, two years on.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2kd7k2e48jo

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
LillyPJ · 22/09/2025 07:12

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:47

You’re making a lot of assumptions in your reply. But ok.

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What assumptions are they?

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:12

Randomlygeneratedname · 22/09/2025 07:11

I find as long as you replace it every other day or so it is generally fine.

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Ah right, irony. Phew.

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 07:12

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:08

Right, but the point is that if we stopped using anything which had some risk and/or element of user error, then what could we actually do?
You also seemed to reply 'sure' when asked to list risk free items/activities.

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No, I replied sure to your sentence which appeared to state that hot water bottles presented no risk. You have since confirmed that to be typo and clarified that was not what you were saying. The conversation has therefore moved on.
I also never said we need to stop using anything which has some risks.

MissFitss · 22/09/2025 07:12

@JustMyView13 If you applied your logic to life in general we'd not do anything. Use a kettle, use an iron, a lawnmower, a microwave, an oven, etc etc.

I think these threads are started by people who don't understand risk (and are possibly snowflakes.)

Randomlygeneratedname · 22/09/2025 07:11

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:09

Microwave?
All of my HWB have metal where the lid is screwed in. Also, is that good for the rubber?

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I find as long as you replace it every other day or so it is generally fine.

angelspike2025 · 22/09/2025 07:11

I use a plug in heat pad, perfect for across my stomach
or I steal the cats microwave disc which stays warm for ages

LorrieTosh · 22/09/2025 07:11

Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:43

Then you’ve been very lucky. It will only take one bursting for you to not find it silly.

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OP, chill the fuck out and read what people have actually written before you lecture them. The poster you were replying to said:
“I've been using them for over 50 years and would never use boiling water.”
Yes, she’s very lucky to have escaped the horrific and life-changing fate of…getting a bit wet.

If you genuinely want to educate people about safe use of hot water bottles, making yourself sound utterly ridiculous isn’t a great way to go about it.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 22/09/2025 07:11

I had a heated throw and it caught fire, the controller just went up in flames. Very scary, it was an expensive one from Lakeland too. Luckily I was able to extinguish it before it spread to the sofa or me but I’ll be sticking to my hot water bottle - even if it bursts the hot water leaking into the bed is going to cause less damage than a house fire!

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:09

Randomlygeneratedname · 22/09/2025 07:07

HWB are totally safe if used correctly.

I don't use boiling water, I put cold water in then pop it in the microwave for 5 minutes.

Totally safe.

Microwave?
All of my HWB have metal where the lid is screwed in. Also, is that good for the rubber?

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:08

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 07:06

I don’t need to. Because I never said that life is risk free.
Again, this thread is discussing the risk associated with hot water bottles specifically. And that risk is that they can burst or leak and burn you.

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Right, but the point is that if we stopped using anything which had some risk and/or element of user error, then what could we actually do?
You also seemed to reply 'sure' when asked to list risk free items/activities.

MissFitss · 22/09/2025 07:07

There are 5 deaths per day from road accidents in the UK @Laptopsas

Should we ban cars?

Randomlygeneratedname · 22/09/2025 07:07

HWB are totally safe if used correctly.

I don't use boiling water, I put cold water in then pop it in the microwave for 5 minutes.

Totally safe.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 22/09/2025 07:06

NuffSaidSam · 21/09/2025 22:41

Agree. The wheat bags are so much better, safer and easier to use.

Everything has a risk. Wheat bags can catch fire...
https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2015-12-02/wheat-bag-warning-after-microwave-fire

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 07:06

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:02

Yep, name an (typo on) item that represents absolutely no risk, can you?

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I don’t need to. Because I never said that life is risk free.
Again, this thread is discussing the risk associated with hot water bottles specifically. And that risk is that they can burst or leak and burn you.

MissFitss · 22/09/2025 07:05

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 22/09/2025 06:59

If you can’t use a hot water bottle correctly can we also remind people not to:

Drive
walk down stairs
Make a cup of tea
Cross the road
Eat Grapes or hot dogs
swim

In fact if people could just wrap themselves in cotton wool and sit on the sofa - that would be great

😂

MissFitss · 22/09/2025 07:04

You're being unreasonable.

There have always been some accidents from HWB and many other things we use. Usually it's because people overfill them or scald themselves when filling them. Or use ones that are too old and they burst in the bed.

It doesn't mean you think they should be banned.

Common sense is the answer.

I've used them for 50 years.

GiantTeddyIsTired · 22/09/2025 07:04

Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:53

If I’d meant those I’d have written them.

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Did you not leave space at the top and squeeze the excess air out?

If not, of course it exploded - you just heated up a load of air until it expanded more than the hot water bottle could handle.

Did you read the instructions? They're normally something like :

To safely use a hot water bottle, first, check it for damage. Let boiling water cool for 15-20 minutes before filling the bottle to no more than two-thirds full. Gently squeeze out the air before sealing the stopper tightly to prevent leaks. Always use the provided cover or wrap the bottle in a towel for safety, as the bottle should never be in direct contact with skin. Never use a hot water bottle in a microwave or as a cushion, and replace it every two years.

I think this might be a you problem, and anything with danger potential is an issue in your hands.

applegingermint · 22/09/2025 07:03

Tryingtokeepgoing · 22/09/2025 05:33

The risk of an electrical fire is far higher than that of a hot water bottle leaking, and the consequences far worse. This is very much a situation where people don’t understand relative risk

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Can you back up that assertion with some facts?

Otherwise it’s just your opinion.

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:02

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 07:00

Name on item or activity that presents absolutely no risk.

Your words, not mine.

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Yep, name an (typo on) item that represents absolutely no risk, can you?

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 07:01

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 22/09/2025 06:59

If you can’t use a hot water bottle correctly can we also remind people not to:

Drive
walk down stairs
Make a cup of tea
Cross the road
Eat Grapes or hot dogs
swim

In fact if people could just wrap themselves in cotton wool and sit on the sofa - that would be great

Ah, but cotton wool is a choking hazard, and sitting still for too long isn't recommended either....😂😂😂

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 07:00

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:59

Eh? No unpicking required (other than on meant to say an, but that's fairly obviously a typo).
I asked you to name something that presents absolutely no risk.
Nowhere did I state that a HWB presents absolutely no risk.

Edited
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Name on item or activity that presents absolutely no risk.

Your words, not mine.

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 22/09/2025 06:59

If you can’t use a hot water bottle correctly can we also remind people not to:

Drive
walk down stairs
Make a cup of tea
Cross the road
Eat Grapes or hot dogs
swim

In fact if people could just wrap themselves in cotton wool and sit on the sofa - that would be great

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:59

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:57

Wrong reply

Edited
Show quote history

Eh? No unpicking required (other than on meant to say an, but that's fairly obviously a typo).
I asked you to name something that presents absolutely no risk.
Nowhere did I state that a HWB presents absolutely no risk.

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:58

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:54

You seem to have forgotten the list.

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Name on item or activity that presents absolutely no risk.

What list? You seem to state that the item (hot water bottle) presents absolutely no risk.
Or am I to unpick something else from that sentence?

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:57

RowanRed90 · 22/09/2025 06:54

You wouldn't believe how silly many people are, you really wouldn't!

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Wrong reply