A woman has shared the common hot water bottle mistake that could be putting us in danger of severe burns – and it’s nothing to do with the use-by date
You’ve been using your hot water bottle incorrectly.
As the cold snap hits, UK residents are digging out their favourite winter warmers, like hot water bottles, to combat the chill. However, caution is advised because these trusty remedies could pose a risk if not used carefully.
Although a staple for easing aches or heating up freezing sheets, hot water bottles can be a hazard. We’ve previously highlighted the little-known fact they come with expiry dates, and ignoring these could increase the chances of a split and consequent injuries.
But worn-out bottles are not the only concern. Many people don’t realise there’s a correct way to use them even when they’re well within their use-by date, and misusing them could pose a real danger.
A woman named Liv shared a video on TikTok in which she said there’s one mistake many of us make with our hot water bottles – filling them with boiling water. You should actually never do this, as it makes them more dangerous.
She stated: “Hot water bottles are not designed to have boiling water in them. You can only have hot water. You want around 60C water in there. Kettles typically boil to 100C, so if you put your kettle on and stop it halfway through, you’re going to be about right.
“If you don’t do that and you do boil it fully, you can put some cold water in first and then it will mix together [to bring the temperature down]. If you’re really particular, you can literally test the water [with a thermometer]. I’m going to test mine just for the sake of knowing how hot it goes after half a boil. Half a boil for me is 65C, which is fine.”
Liv then advised if you want to be “really careful” with your hot water bottle, you shouldn’t use water above 60C under any circumstances.
She also suggested filling your hot water bottle only halfway. Once the water is in, squeeze out the excess air from the rest of the bottle and seal it shut with the lid. This reduces the risk of the bottle rupturing or leaking by allowing room for expansion.
The woman’s advice was backed by The Hot Water Bottle Shop, which previously collaborated with National Burn Awareness Day in October to share nine key safety tips for using hot water bottles – including avoiding boiling water.
They warned: “It might be tempting to fill your bottle with boiling water for maximum warmth, but this can be extremely dangerous and lead to burns. Boiling water can degrade the material of the bottle over time and increase the risk of burns.
“Instead, opt for hot water that’s been left to cool down to a safe temperature after boiling. Hot water bottle manufacturers typically recommend using a temperature no higher than 50-60 degrees Celsius, and even lower for children.”
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