Anyone had a 'hottie' catch fire?

[babysharkah]

Heating up the kids' hotties tonight (lavender filled hot water bottle equivalents) bought from sainsburys, it almost caught fire in the microwave. Managed to pull it out, burnt a hole in it and smoking like mad but didn't catch properly luckily.

Anyone else had this with the lavender bags? I've complained on twitter but they seem uninterested.

This has happened to me before. Neither the shop nor the manufacturer gave a shit.

I have had one catch fire before, but I admit I microwaved it for well over the time recommended. I think the instructions said to microwave for 2 or 3 minutes but I like it to be really hot and I probably left it in for about 10 minutes, so it was my own fault!

Nearly. I was getting ready for bed and took it out the microwave and as I was going upstairs it started making a very tiny popping noise, like popcorn. I realised some of the grains inside had caught fire but there was no external evidence. I stamped on it and managed to put it out.

It could have been so dangerous if I’d put it in bed without realising .

My yds one did a few years ago. She put it in the microwave for too long. We all wondered what on earth an awful smell was, and then I saw her soft toy hottie was smoking! We now always heat them up with a mug of water in tne microwave.

Sainsburys and Argos are passing it back to each other. For our W microwave it says heat for 90 seconds. It was in for 30 before I pulled it out tonight. I just want to make others aware!

These are the pics

My son's not allowed to sleep with his (overreacting I'm sure) because I read about them developing hotspots that smoulder for a while unnoticed, and can turn into a fire.

We always heat ours with a cup of water in the microwave. That's meant to reduce the risk of hotspots.

All in all I wish I'd got a gel pack one.

Thanks for posting though OP - well worth raising awareness.

Possibly a different brand but I feel sure that basically the same product was on Watchdog a few years ago for catching fire. I knew they were dangerous so there must have been press about it.

I'd switch to a good old fashioned hot water bottle with a cuddly toy cover. There's a British company that make really nice ones. I bought one for my 11 year old nephew and he loved it. I'll see if I can find an email to jog my memory re the brand.

That's beyond shocking. I thought by law they had to give a shit. Last time I checked safe guarding and safe trading wasn't a choice.
Heaven forbid but who's head is going to roll if a someone is killed.
I'd be kicking up a stink and making damn well sure they gave a shit

Many are sold without the British safety standard.

link to institutions

So for us, no having them in bed and we always heat with water.

*instructions even

I couldn't help envision a godly handsome man bursting into flames 🔥

But no luckily not, but did have the material melt. I imagine it wasn't supposed to do that.

Thanks right posting OP
I wasn’t aware of the danger

This is why I won’t buy one.

Several of mine have fell victim to the burned popcorn smell / singed coming from the microwave,

I have carers coming in 4 times a day and so a range of 25+ people who are being asked to heat up wheat bags and some trying to work the microwave and putting it in to heat in the fan oven / giving it a bit longer than needed (5-10 mins longer) / piling several in at once and giving it a blast.

A couple have gone up on fire, I advise grab with tongs and stick in water in sink.

Some that have come out of microwave burned and smelling of burned popcorn, I have had to retrieve where about when able or double check what has been done with them as a couple of times while they were smouldering someone chucked them in the kitchen/bedroom bin and counted it as sorted so if one dies, I double check to make sure someone has immersed it in water before disposing so the bin doesnt go up on fire to follow it up.

My friend who is a home safety officer with local council advised not to put under a duvet or blanket as if ignites when you pull covers back it can blow up in your face literally.

I am constantly cold and they are the best thing for pain levels as I have scalded myself with hot water bottles, I can't have electric blankets due to incontinence and despite running heating a lot, Im still bloody cold.

So in answer to your question, yes have had many hotties / Wheaties catch fire.

Smurfy - I see you say you can't have an electric blanket, yet how about a small electric heat pad, you could pop on your lap or behind your back?

We use these which have been fine for us and last for hours - I highly recommend them!

SnuggleSafe Microwave Wireless Heatpad with Fleece Cover

that second picture

NEVER EVER use them in bed like a traditional hot water bottle. If they are under the covers there is a risk that the heat continues to increase and it might set itself alight. There has been an least one fatality in the UK that was attributed to having a wheat hottie in bed.

Beware also that traditional hot water bottles can be dangerous if not used correctly: the usual advice is to only fill them about two thirds full, and to expel the air before putting the stopper in. To do this, hold the bottle at the top, lower it against a flat surface until water appears in the opening, then put the stopper in. There is less chance of it bursting that way.

To the PP above, I still use the microwave wheat bags despite all this as it means i can target to the worst pain areas and use other things on other areas. I use the wheat bags where I cant get relieft from anything else.

Looking at the pet warmer, I might try one of those

My hospital used to have them as one of the doctors thinks heat should be used instead of just pain killers. They got stopped after the nurse set one on fire and ward was evacuated!