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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
MissFitss · 22/09/2025 12:33

Why are you posting in the early hours of the morning @Laptopsas
Get some sleep!

Why be here at 3am?

Zimunya · 22/09/2025 12:27

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.

Yes, our wheat bag caught fire too :(

AdopttDontShop · 22/09/2025 12:26

Nanny state alert

You Got This Good Vibes GIF by INTO ACTION
Foundress · 22/09/2025 12:24

YouMightThinkThat · 21/09/2025 22:50

I think now a perfect moment to remind people to not put their trousers on back to front and to ensure they never put on a roll neck jumper whilst holding a lit cigarette in their mouths.

Brilliant. Please bring back the 😂emoji! Also someone mentioning ‘blanket ban’ made me laugh. Blanket, bed get it ?

Tastaturen · 22/09/2025 12:24

smithsgj · 22/09/2025 12:01

I have only got to page 3 so apologies if this crops up later.

This is how a hit water bottle works: you put it in the bed, to warm the bed up. Before you get into bed, once the bed is warm, you take it out.

You don't get into bed with a hot water bottle any more than you would get in with an electric blanket switched on. Surely?!

Also consider leaving the heating on till later and using a thicker duvet?

If it's really cold my HWB stays at the bottom of the bed.

Hundslappadrifa · 22/09/2025 12:13

applegingermint · 22/09/2025 07:24

The advice is to avoid using hot tap water as minerals in the water can prematurely degrade the rubber. You’re meant to use boiled water that’s been allowed to cool.

Show quote history

That may be, but I’ve been doing it for over 50 years and never had an explosion yet.

Suzjspik · 22/09/2025 12:13

Im 44 I use hot water bottles every night in winter, as do my kids. Wheat bags dont stay as warm.

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 22/09/2025 12:06

I got older teens electric ones to avoid the water filling stage - plug in and heat up after eldery great aunt sclaed her hand with hot water filling one.

They know to heat the bed with them rather than lie on them.

Bippybop · 22/09/2025 12:02

I never use boiling water in mine and i never fill it to the brim.
Its half full and warm.

Tyler4689 · 22/09/2025 12:02

GasPanic · 22/09/2025 11:46

Maybe there are a few people that hadn't considered some of the risks or didn't know about some of the safety precautions who are now educated.

In fact you can see in the thread that some people didn't know about expiry dates.

If it stops just one person getting badly burnt by scalding water, then probably more worthwhile than a lot of threads.

Show quote history

Here’s hoping!!!

Faceonthewrongfoot · 22/09/2025 12:01

ChaToilLeam · 21/09/2025 23:01

Shall we include here a dire warning about the dangers of eating jam tarts straight from the oven? ⚠️

I actually burnt my tongue and hand the other day on a jam tart! (I didn't know they were fresh out of the oven in my defence. Molten jam is very painful!)

smithsgj · 22/09/2025 12:01

I have only got to page 3 so apologies if this crops up later.

This is how a hit water bottle works: you put it in the bed, to warm the bed up. Before you get into bed, once the bed is warm, you take it out.

You don't get into bed with a hot water bottle any more than you would get in with an electric blanket switched on. Surely?!

Also consider leaving the heating on till later and using a thicker duvet?

Jc2001 · 22/09/2025 11:47

CaptainMyCaptain · 22/09/2025 11:43

Also never wear shoe laces in case you accidentally tie them together.

Don't try and make toast while you are in the bath.

Show quote history

Hmm. But bath toast just so tasty. But it s difficult to balance both the toaster and the electric heater on the side of the bath at the same time.

GasPanic · 22/09/2025 11:46

Tyler4689 · 22/09/2025 10:47

For every time someone’s hot water bottle has “exploded” there’s probably tens of thousands of times they haven’t exploded.

You could say this about so many things. You could do a thread titled “to remind people NOT to go on an aeroplane” or “to remind people NOT to light a candle” or “to remind people NOT to cross the road.” I couldn’t live my life this way.

I don’t need to be told to stop using mine, I will happily continue!!!

Maybe there are a few people that hadn't considered some of the risks or didn't know about some of the safety precautions who are now educated.

In fact you can see in the thread that some people didn't know about expiry dates.

If it stops just one person getting badly burnt by scalding water, then probably more worthwhile than a lot of threads.

CaptainMyCaptain · 22/09/2025 11:43

YouMightThinkThat · 21/09/2025 22:50

I think now a perfect moment to remind people to not put their trousers on back to front and to ensure they never put on a roll neck jumper whilst holding a lit cigarette in their mouths.

Also never wear shoe laces in case you accidentally tie them together.

Don't try and make toast while you are in the bath.

WalkingWavy · 22/09/2025 11:42

Hot water bottles were the best thing ever to be invented IMO. You’ll have to prise mine from my cold warm dead hands

Kuretake · 22/09/2025 11:31

I have a hot water bottle every night for about 6 months of the year and always use boiling water - well slightly off the boil so it doesn't splutter as I fill it. Maybe I need to change my ways!

Sharptonguedwoman · 22/09/2025 11:30

mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:59

Never try to tumble dry your own head either. No good will come of it.

How am I supposed to dry my hair?! 😱

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😂😂😂

LittleLogOut · 22/09/2025 11:28

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.

Survivor bias. Things aren’t 100% like saying no one needs to wear a seat belt as you’ve never been in a crash…..

applegingermint · 22/09/2025 11:27

Sprogonthetyne · 22/09/2025 09:57

The cost of boiling a full kettle is irrelevant because no one is putting a full kettle of boiling water in a hot water. Mine gets a bit of tap water then the dregs of the kettle after my night time cuppa (kettle filled to minimum line has enough for both, so the bit in the HWB would be getting boiling wether I used it or not)

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It is pretty relevant, as you’re not meant to put tap water in them as the minerals will potentially degrade the rubber. Only boiled air cooled water.

WestwardHo1 · 22/09/2025 11:27

I am very afraid now. I use a hot water bottle very frequently for period pain, wind pain, cold feet, to warm up my bed.... It seems I have been courting disaster the whole time, and so far I have just been LUCKY.

Herewegoagainandagainandagain · 22/09/2025 11:20

I don't think I have a hot water bottle less that 15 years old! 🤪

Living on the edge I am!

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 22/09/2025 11:12

What a condescending post. Most things in life come with risk.

Locutus2000 · 22/09/2025 11:06

Laptopsas · 22/09/2025 03:29

It’s just a thread. There’s no legally binding element. Don’t get yourself upset. It’s okay.

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It's the way you keep repeating the same one-liners which is irritating.

Why start an AIBU when you have no interest in discussing anything?

Kreepture · 22/09/2025 10:59

haven't used a hot water bottle in a long time, i use electric pads/blankets.

my small one is a lifesaver for back problems.