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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
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?

CaramelGhost · 21/09/2025 22:47

I had a hot water bottle last night. Always ensure they're in date and not filled with boiling water.
Been using them for decades

Original poster
Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:47

CallMeFlo · 21/09/2025 22:45

Theyre perfectly safe if they're used properly

If people are using ancient old bottles filled with boiling water that doesn't mean theyre not safe, it means people are not using them correctly

They’re not. A brand new one I had exploded, luckily all over the sofa and not on me.

OP posts:
mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:46

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.

Show quote history

Why? If there's no boiling water in it? 😳

Original poster
Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:46

itsAforapple · 21/09/2025 22:42

Generations used them without much issue, but yes let’s try to get rid of those too… along with everything else!

Rubber hot water bottles have only been around for 100 years or so and every year there are well publicised stories of them exploded and causing severe burns.

OP posts:
PaddingtonBlah · 21/09/2025 22:46

I don't find wheat bags hold the heat anything like as well as a hot water bottle.

We live in an old cold house and I use a hot water bottle for every bed in the house - it's part of my winter evening routine to put them in about an hour before bed.

It's important to check the dates, replace them regularly, not overfill or use boiling water and expel air. But that doesn't mean you can't use them at all.

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??

Sprogonthetyne · 21/09/2025 22:45

Just check that they're in date (less then 2 years old) and not damaged, no need to do away with them.

CallMeFlo · 21/09/2025 22:45

Theyre perfectly safe if they're used properly

If people are using ancient old bottles filled with boiling water that doesn't mean theyre not safe, it means people are not using them correctly

Original poster
Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:43

mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:41

Bit silly to warn people not to use hot water bottles.

I've been using them for over 50 years and would never use boiling water.

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

OP posts:
itsAforapple · 21/09/2025 22:42

Generations used them without much issue, but yes let’s try to get rid of those too… along with everything else!

mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:41

Bit silly to warn people not to use hot water bottles.

I've been using them for over 50 years and would never use boiling water.

NuffSaidSam · 21/09/2025 22:41

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