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Hot water bottle safety

(56 Posts)
Dee1012 Wed 01-Nov-23 11:33:50

After a news report yesterday, I decided to check my hot water bottle as the average 'lifespan' is around 2 years...I really wasn't aware that the number in the centre of the flower is the year the bottle was manufactured, so a bottle with a 16 was made in 2016.
The twelve petals of the flower represent the months of the year. The number of segments filled with dots shows which month it was made.
The report featured stories of people who had been horribly burnt after the bottle burst...off to buy a couple of new ones today I think.

Cabbie21 Thu 02-Nov-23 22:37:53

I have a wheat bag that you heat in a microwave. No problem.

When I was a child in an unheated house my dear mum trailed up and down the stairs putting a stone hot water bottle in my bed, then moved it to my sister’s bed, replacing it with a rubber bottle as I went to bed, and so on. The same procedure for my parents’ bed.

Ali08 Fri 03-Nov-23 08:27:58

I use my bottles quite a lot, even in summer, filled with hot or cold water to help with pain. So I do tend to go through them and will often buy new ones around the end of summer, especially if I think the DGC might be wanting them!!
Since finding out about the flower a few years ago, I wonder why we didn't have that when we were children?!

Ali08 Fri 03-Nov-23 08:29:10

They should have a visible fill level mark, too, as when him indoors makes me one up I often have to empty some out. Along with the air he didn't squeeze out, too!!

Saggi Sat 04-Nov-23 11:23:19

What nonesense ….my first hot water bottle( made in England) lasted 25 years ….and discarded because the rim where the stopper screws in wore away!
My second ? Made in china) the shoulder started leaking after 1 year.. all depends where they’re made I suppose!
I have two now ….both 5 years old.

Cagsy Sat 04-Nov-23 11:37:09

I don’t think I’ve had a hot water bottle since I was a child - and ai’m 72 next week

4allweknow Sat 04-Nov-23 11:56:32

I've been aware of this for some time and have now and again checked hot water bottles on sale. Found sone a year old so whoever buys them has one year's use. Expiry date should be added to item's details and in clear view.

Koalama Sat 04-Nov-23 12:21:01

Good info thank you, tbh I use a cuddly koala microwavable one for myself

camlyn Sat 04-Nov-23 12:39:35

OMG, didn't know about the flower. Mine is 20, yes 20 years old. Maybe it's time to bid it farewell😭

Dempie55 Sat 04-Nov-23 13:39:33

I never used a hot water bottle again after we were putting up a work colleague and I put one in his bed. It leaked slowly in the night and he woke up soaking wet and frozen. He was so embarrassed by his wet pyjamas!

missdeke Sat 04-Nov-23 14:04:04

I knew about this and checked mine early last year then bought a new hot water bottle. Then I bought a night owl duvet and haven't usd a hot water bottle since, so mine sits there brand new and already nearly two years old!!

Grantanow Sat 04-Nov-23 14:10:02

Mine doesn't have a date on it being French but it's in good condition. My parents used stone hot water bottles which were fine in bed until you knocked your knee on one. Ouch!

littleowl Sat 04-Nov-23 15:40:45

I have an old fashioned crock hot water bottle like our grandmas had. I put it in the bed ahead of time and it makes the bed toasty warm. It will not burst, can take boiling water and will last forever. It has many uses and I use it to warm my feet and it also keeps the chill off seedlings or anything else for that matter.
I have a rubber bottle as well but change it every 12 months to be safe.

SachaMac Sat 04-Nov-23 16:49:23

That’s useful to know, I was totally unaware of that.
I recently had a hot water bottle burst, luckily not when it was hot but I woke up to find the bed soaked right through to the mattress. I’m not sure how old it was but I’d had it a while.

Warbler Sat 04-Nov-23 19:11:57

Thank you so much Dee for posting this. I went to my Creative Writing group this morning with my hottie, concealed under my gigantic jumper. I am a great fan of the Dutch hot water bottles.....they are aluminium cylindrical type with a cotton cover. These keep the heat in forever.......no dates needed on those.

LOUISA1523 Sat 04-Nov-23 20:34:45

I think it depends on usage....I have 2 ...I only use them when my mum stays overnight in winter .....so maybe 2 weeks a year about.....we had ours a few years now...they seem fine

Kartush Sat 04-Nov-23 22:13:24

I have an electric hot water bottle/bag you plug it in before you go to bed and when its fully heated it stays hot for about 7 hours. I remember using traditional hot water bottles as a child but not since

Skye17 Sat 04-Nov-23 22:53:25

I have an electric one too. I think it’s brilliant, much easier to use. I hope they are safe. I will be changing mine every two years.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0BL7G5565?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image&tag=gransnetforum-21

HelterSkelter1 Sun 05-Nov-23 06:24:14

Has anyone tried a Hotties microwave hot water bottle. i am looking at them on Amazon.

argymargy Sun 05-Nov-23 07:27:06

Yes, HelterSkelter1 , I have had two for years and they’re brilliant - last for hours. Just don’t ever be tempted to overheat them.

HelterSkelter1 Sun 05-Nov-23 07:33:19

Thankyou argymargy I may give them a try.

Oldbat1 Sun 05-Nov-23 15:01:38

After reading this I found my hot water bottle and it is a 16! I think I must replace it.

SpringyChicken Sun 05-Nov-23 19:42:29

2003 and 2014 😱😂. Isn't it lucky we don't use them - so why have I kept them all these years? 🤔

SueDonim Sun 05-Nov-23 20:53:11

If we’re replacing our HWB’s, where do we recycle them? Are they still rubber or are they plastics now?

Sara1954 Sun 05-Nov-23 21:07:41

We had an electric blanket which didn’t actually catch fire, but the plug which goes into the blanket melted, and scorched the cable and blanket.
I didn’t buy another one for about twenty teat, but gave in a couple of years ago.
Regarding hot water bottles, I never boil the water.

Sara1954 Sun 05-Nov-23 21:10:31

Twenty years