To remind people NOT to use hot water bottles?

[Laptopsas]

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

Just keep them in the furry covers with the waterproof lining that modern HWBs have.
I grew up with the old style coverless ones. As a kid a burst HWB was a thing of joy, got to sleep on the sofa while the bed dried. For some reason I thought that was exciting.

Yes I’ve experienced two wheat bags catching on fire! Once when I was a teenager and it terrified me. My Mum banned them from the house and we went back to hot water bottles. Then my uni flatmates caught on fire and we ended up with our full accommodation evacuating.

I stick with HWB.

I’m good thanks. Always add a bit of cold water before adding water from the kettle, don’t overfill it, gently squeeze out some of the air before sealing it.

My mum taught me this about 45 years ago.

Oh do catch yourself on. It’s perfectly possible to have a nice hot water bottle without water hot enough to burn you, you just put a bit of cold in first. And therefore most of the time used properly they are no more dangerous than carrying around a couple of cups of tea or taking a stew out of the oven.

I'm pretty sure my mum still uses hot water bottles that are older than me.

Surely if they have a two year shelf life it's better to replace them with the safer kind when they need replacing.

I had no idea hot water bottles had dates on them. None at all. Or do people just change them every couple of years? We don't use them often, I'd never even have thought about one exploding. Don't you have to remove the air before screwing the top back on?

Oh dear, there's always something to worry about. Guess I'll just have to go back to using my old copper warming pan filled with smouldering coals.

Alternatively I'm very tempted to buy one of these for the winter; looks safe enough, no water or electricity involved. Although I suppose you could trip over it.

Silentnight Heat Genie Self Heating Giant Blanket - Cosy Warm Sherpa Fleece Throw with Unique Foil Layer to Retain Heat - Extra Large Reversible for Sofa Couch Bed Camping - 180x240cm, Charcoal : Amazon.co.uk: Home & Kitchen

But can catch fire, I understand?

I think some people are being a tiny bit smug on here about knowing rubber corrodes within 2 years. I didn't. Or if I did, I didn't really connect it with my hotwater bottle. And obviously when it did attack me, I felt a fool with a very scalded thigh. But I think the OP is doing a useful thing in reminding people to check their HWBs and also not fill with boiling water, tempting as that is when you sleep with ice on the inside of your bedroom windows!

I am not sure HWBs are made of rubber any more?

I will say that hot water bottles have their place (especially the new long ones), and that cherry pip bags also have a use (because they mould to the bit you put them on, and smell nice - at least until you over-microwave them and burn them)
And as a child of the 80s, I grew up with a deathly fear of electric blankets....

BUT...

yeah - a heated underblanket is life-changingly good. Whacking it on when I go up so the bed's toasty by the time I've finished my ablutions is just what I need in winter. As long as you get the ones that switch themselves off after a couple of hours, so you don't wake up sweaty and overheated 4 hours later.

The microwave ones have been known to catch fire

i don't have a microwave.
So, shrug, i will continue to sensibly use my hot water bottle if that's ok with you, OP

We had a microwave which caught fire.

I love a hot water bottle . Definitely use a lot for pain relief.
But i agree you do have to be sensible in terms of not boiling water. Check air out before putting the stopper in. And check for leaks.
I seem to get brought one every Christmas. So definitely dont keep them long.
Maybe more people dont realise these steps. Or not taught them. Thats why increase in accidents .
Wonder if the quality has decreased. You can buy them pretty cheap in some places now .

I understand your concern but based on this logic you shouldn't drive cars, ride bikes or doing anything that can cause potential harm.

Has no-one mentioned electric heat pads? I wouldn't be without mine - I have arthritis. In fact I have a downstairs one and an upstairs one.

I have just ordered a new one, it will live inside my Bagpuss cover and won't be filled with boiling water. Is that OK OP?

I also will not be burning candles without being in the room and certainly not near my curtains.

I would definitely look to replace your mums, the rubber can degrade over time. The little flower pattern on the neck of the bottle is there to let you know how old they are, but if they're older then you, they're definitely out of date.

I just prefer the feel and heat capacity of hot water bottle's to the weat bags, which as others have said have their own safety issues anyway. I don't mind an electric blanket, but have kids that often turn up in my bed over night, and I don't trust 100% not to wet the bed, so not a great mix with electric. HWB just gets kicked out the bottom of the bed if/when I have a night time visitor.

They're so good for pain relief. I'm waiting for two new hips and sitting down with that wrapped around me really helps

They are because I bought myself a new one last year, I specifically searched for a rubber one as compared to a plasticy one.

Those silly weatie bags don't hold their heat! pointless.
And given the level of fuel poverty in this country right now - its incredibly stupid to try and scare people out of using a perfectly safe heating source. Heated blankets cost money to run,.

honestly - you need to wind your neck in and stay out of other peoples business.

Why not? They make such a difference.

Anyone else remember this character? https://ukcomics.fandom.com/wiki/Walter_Hottle_Bottle

Same here, I've been using them for years and years with no problem, it's like anything in life if you treat it with respect you'll be fine. I'm not stopping something because someone on MN tells me to..