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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
justasking111 · 21/09/2025 22:52

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.

I check the dates but to be honest forget to use it.. best bet if you're nervous. Remove it before you get into bed and leave in bathroom sink.

SkaneTos · 21/09/2025 22:53

A heated throw can be dangerous too, it has electricity in it.
A microwaveable bag can catch fire in the microwave.

Everything can be dangerous if something goes wrong.

Tastaturen · 21/09/2025 22:53

Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:52

If you want to do that go for it.

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No, I really don't.

Original poster
Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:53

mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:49

Exploding? 🙄

Do you mean leaking/perishing/squirting water?

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If I’d meant those I’d have written them.

OP posts:
mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:53

Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:51

Sure. Boiling water will cause severe burns, but the bottle still needs to have very hot water in it to be any of use.

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So some hot water may touch my skin if the bottle leaks 🤷‍♂️

YelloDaisy · 21/09/2025 22:53

Exploding hot water bottles? Never heard of that and I’m over 70

SkaterGrrrrl · 21/09/2025 22:53

We take hot water bottles camping, lovely in a cold tent. Bit hard to replace with a heated throw in a field with no electricity.

SummerFeverVenice · 21/09/2025 22:53

Whatever you do don’t have a cup of scalding hot tea in bed!!

Bin your kettle

Handsomesoapdish · 21/09/2025 22:54

Lifeinthepit · 21/09/2025 22:51

I would always have rolled my eyes at this sort of post in the past, until my HWB exploded and gave me huge scalds on my thighs a few years ago. My own fault for using too hot water too many times but I never thought it would burst. Now I use an electric underblanket.

Would now be a terrible time to tell you my parents electric blanket went on fire but notwithstanding that I’m sure they too have a low risk rating.

Lifeinthepit · 21/09/2025 22:54

YelloDaisy · 21/09/2025 22:53

Exploding hot water bottles? Never heard of that and I’m over 70

Mine burst. You are obviously filling yours correctly!

Original poster
Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:54

mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:50

Why do you not think heated throws are dangerous OP?

Why would they be?

OP posts:
stichguru · 21/09/2025 22:55

Just don't put water in that's hot enough to scald you...

Lifeinthepit · 21/09/2025 22:55

Handsomesoapdish · 21/09/2025 22:54

Would now be a terrible time to tell you my parents electric blanket went on fire but notwithstanding that I’m sure they too have a low risk rating.

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Great...😆

mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:55

ThreePears · 21/09/2025 22:51

Now if you'd said:

'AIBU to remind people NOT to use boiling water in hot water bottles'

I would have agreed with you. But to not use them at all? You might just as well tell people not to make gravy because a few people have spilt a jug of boiling hot gravy over themselves. Hot water bottles are totally safe if used properly.

Exactly.

Let's not use hot water bottles at all because a few silly people ignore the warnings and fill them with boiling water.

Let's use heated throws instead because none of them have ever caught fire...

Original poster
Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:55

ThreePears · 21/09/2025 22:51

Now if you'd said:

'AIBU to remind people NOT to use boiling water in hot water bottles'

I would have agreed with you. But to not use them at all? You might just as well tell people not to make gravy because a few people have spilt a jug of boiling hot gravy over themselves. Hot water bottles are totally safe if used properly.

Yeah they’re totally safe if you use water cool enough so as to render the bottle pointless.

OP posts:
YouMightThinkThat · 21/09/2025 22:56

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

Also - Snickers Bars may contain nuts.

Handsomesoapdish · 21/09/2025 22:57

Beware of making cups of tea or boiling pots of water on a stove they too can cause and more so have many times caused scalding accidents. In fact it is true to say that any boiling water anywhere can potentially scald a person, be aware.

maudelovesharold · 21/09/2025 22:58

I’m afraid that no amount of warnings against potential dangers will ever eliminate all risk. It’s part of life, and we all have to do our own risk assessments and use common sense. I’m sure that you could find examples of death and injury caused by the (mis)use of electric blankets, for example.

mzpq · 21/09/2025 22:59

YouMightThinkThat · 21/09/2025 22:56

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

Also - Snickers Bars may contain nuts.

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

How am I supposed to dry my hair?! 😱

Original poster
Laptopsas · 21/09/2025 22:59

YelloDaisy · 21/09/2025 22:53

Exploding hot water bottles? Never heard of that and I’m over 70

Type it into Google and there will be numerous stories over many years. It’s in the news every winter. Surprised you’ve never heard of it.

OP posts:
Lifeinthepit · 21/09/2025 22:59

Handsomesoapdish · 21/09/2025 22:57

Beware of making cups of tea or boiling pots of water on a stove they too can cause and more so have many times caused scalding accidents. In fact it is true to say that any boiling water anywhere can potentially scald a person, be aware.

You don't generally sit on your cup of tea by mistake (which is why my HWB exploded. Not a dainty sitter)

YouMightThinkThat · 21/09/2025 23:00

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?! 😱

Show quote history

Oven. Highest setting. Trust me. I’m a doctor. 😂😂😂

LinedOverLatte · 21/09/2025 23:00

At least most mumsnetters won’t be risk from a burn while ironing…..

ChaToilLeam · 21/09/2025 23:01

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

SpackelFrog · 21/09/2025 23:01

The wheat things are rubbish, used sensibly a hot heater bottle is fine!

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