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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
bloodredfeaturewall · 22/09/2025 06:56

grain bags go cold quickly and give out moisture.
and I don't like the idea of electricity in bed.

I will keep my hwb thanks.

Autumn1990 · 22/09/2025 06:54

The wheat bags are very dangerous, even with correct use the risk of catching fire is high. Lots of fire brigades have warnings on their websites.
I always use a hot water bottle. It literally says on the don’t use boiling water

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:54

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:53

No risk? Sure.

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You seem to have forgotten the list.

RowanRed90 · 22/09/2025 06:54

itsAforapple · 21/09/2025 22:45

Could we just remind people to use half of their brain and not be fuck wits? Would that cover it??

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

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:53

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:50

Or, not using an everyday item due to perceived risk!
Name on item or activity that presents absolutely no risk.

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No risk? Sure.

Superhansrantowindsor · 22/09/2025 06:52

Wheat bags are useless.
I’ll admit though that I haven’t replaced our hot water bottles in years and probably use water too hot. I will change that and will buy new bottles.

Chemenger · 22/09/2025 06:51

FrondsofFriday · 21/09/2025 22:48

I had a wheat bag catch fire once.

I’ve gone back to a HWB. But I do replace it every couple of years and I don’t put boiling water in it. So i’m ok with my life choices but thanks for the PSA.

Our house sitter came very close to setting a bed on fire with a wheat bag. The sheets and duvet were scorched.

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:50

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:49

Yes, very specifically, hot water bottles.

Show quote history

Or, not using an everyday item due to perceived risk!
Name on item or activity that presents absolutely no risk.

MaiAamWaliHun · 22/09/2025 06:50

I've used hotwater bottles for years, they're great. I had a wheatbag set on fire. Things happen.

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:49

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:28

The thread is discussing not using something due to risk.

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Yes, very specifically, hot water bottles.

Wowthatwasabigstep · 22/09/2025 06:48

Oh don’t be so silly, many people use them on every cold Autumn and Winter night without any ill effect. Maybe you could start campaigning to ban hot drink as surely they are a bigger risk.

Anybody with a modicum of intelligence will be able to figure out that over time hot water bottles can perish and that they could leak as a result. Use off the boil water and once the stopper is in place invert and check for drips or leaks.

Lifeinthepit · 22/09/2025 06:48

SummerFrog25 · 21/09/2025 23:33

All kinds of things are dangerous if you sit in them! Doesn't mean people should be told 'not to use them' for their INTENDED use.

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Yes you're right of course. I would have said the same before the Hot Water Bottle Attack!

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 06:47

PaddingtonBlah · 22/09/2025 06:30

Regularly is an exaggeration.

And they will also have just as frequently seen burns and scalds from hot drinks, food preparation, baths/showers etc.

Anyone working in A&E will have seen many, many cases of horrific injuries resulting from getting in a car, riding a bike, gardening, using stairs (and in fact steps outside), camping, caring for or walking pets etc etc.

Some of the people I know who have worked in A&E are the most dare devil types. Once you've seen people die from only venturing into their loft or trimming their hedge, I guess you think "why not bungee jump and go dramatically".....

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

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:46

Hundslappadrifa · 22/09/2025 06:31

Get a grip! Use bloody tap water, it’s not that hot and works just as well. JFC!

I don't find it does tbh, but I do know how to use my HWB as safely as possible.

EmpressOfTheThread · 22/09/2025 06:43

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:48

Shall we remind people not to use cars, cookers, washing machines, candles, or to cross the road or to eat a biscuit or to move at all?

Thank you for that. Someone could have a nasty accident.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 22/09/2025 06:34

Well this went well didn’t it.

PersephoneParlormaid · 22/09/2025 06:34

Don’t go outside as you might get hit by a bus, but don’t stay in as a plane might crash onto your house.

Hundslappadrifa · 22/09/2025 06:31

Get a grip! Use bloody tap water, it’s not that hot and works just as well. JFC!

Ohthatsabitshit · 22/09/2025 06:31

I use hot water bottles, and even drink hot drinks. Occasionally I spill the tea or whatever and sometimes I even burn my fingers on something. Sorry your hotty leaked in you @Laptopsas. How annoying.

PaddingtonBlah · 22/09/2025 06:30

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 05:04

This is definitely one of those situations where people don’t understand the risks until it happens to them. Relative works in emergency medicine & regularly sees people with burns injuries from these leaking.

Regularly is an exaggeration.

And they will also have just as frequently seen burns and scalds from hot drinks, food preparation, baths/showers etc.

Anyone working in A&E will have seen many, many cases of horrific injuries resulting from getting in a car, riding a bike, gardening, using stairs (and in fact steps outside), camping, caring for or walking pets etc etc.

Some of the people I know who have worked in A&E are the most dare devil types. Once you've seen people die from only venturing into their loft or trimming their hedge, I guess you think "why not bungee jump and go dramatically".....

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 06:28

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 05:40

But the thread is discussing hot water bottles, not electrical fires.

Show quote history

The thread is discussing not using something due to risk.

PreciousTatas · 22/09/2025 06:09

I just had to evacuate my house due to smoke damage.

My dd's 'safe' wheat bag, new, used for the correct time at the correct wattage, burst into flames in her bed. Luckily she was not in it, just brushing her teeth.

The fireman said that many people didn't know that putting the wheat bag under a blanket or clothes can cause it to heat up further, causing it to spontaneously combust. That it can happen hours after being in the microwave and appearing to be cool.

Think I'll stick to my trusty hot water bottle in the future.

MumChp · 22/09/2025 05:50

We don't have a micro wave so we continue with a hot water bottle. I love mine. We don't use water +45 grader so we'll manage.

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 05:40

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

Show quote history

But the thread is discussing hot water bottles, not electrical fires.

Tryingtokeepgoing · 22/09/2025 05:33

JustMyView13 · 22/09/2025 05:04

This is definitely one of those situations where people don’t understand the risks until it happens to them. Relative works in emergency medicine & regularly sees people with burns injuries from these leaking.

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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