It's always handy to have a hot water bottle close by during the colder months, whether you're snuggling up in bed or lounging about on the couch. We often rely on hot water bottles to soothe various aches and pains or just for a little extra warmth.

However, did you know that this seemingly harmless household item can carry lurking hidden dangers?

Despite their innocent appearance, a hot water bottle can sometimes pose a risk if not handled carefully, causing injury to its user. And recently, an unfortunate event made us all think twice about how we store and use these warming companions.

Stephanie Campbell, a young Melbourne resident, experienced a horrifying incident with a hot water bottle that drastically changed her life. She had placed the hot water bottle on her stomach to ease some pain, but after only 10 minutes, the bottle burst suddenly, leaving her with severe burns.

'There was pure boiling water on my stomach,' Campbell told a news source in a harrowing account of her ordeal.

A woman was hospitalised after receiving severe burns from a broken hot water bottle. Credit: YouTube/ACCC Product Safety.

The 27-year-old endured grave injuries as a result of the incident and was quickly rushed to a hospital. She went through surgery for skin grafts, with donor skin taken from her back to cover the wounds. Stephanie spent ten long days recovering in the hospital, reflecting on the mental and physical trauma this common household item had caused.

'It's quite hard looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing the scars on your body from what's happened just from a hot water bottle,' she said.

The doctors have noticed a significant uptick in hospital admissions from patients with severe injuries caused by hot water bottles.

'Hot water bottles come with a long list of warnings,' said Dr Dane Holden, reinforcing the need to replace them every 12 months and avoid filling them with boiling water.

For your safety and to ensure good practices with this household staple, please heed this expert advice:

1. Fill your hot water bottle with hot tap water instead of boiling water. It should be filled with no more than two-thirds of its capacity.

2. Use a fitted cover for your bottle or wrap it in a cloth or towel to prevent direct contact with the skin.

3. Do not keep a hot water bottle on your body for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Credit: ACCC Product Safety.​

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne woman sustained injuries after her hot water bottle burst while lying in bed.
• Stephanie Campbell was rushed to hospital with serious burns to her body and underwent surgery for a skin graft.
• Doctors have seen a significant number of people admitted to hospital with severe injuries after using hot water bottles.
• Consumers are urged to follow safety guidelines for hot water bottles, including replacing them every 12 months, using hot tap water instead of boiling water, and not filling them more than two-thirds.

Of course, we don't want to deter you from using this time-tested method of cosy warmth. However, it's crucial to always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and exercise caution when using hot water bottles.

Share this story with your friends and family to raise awareness about the issues associated with their improper use. Stay safe and stay warm, dear members!

 

[Suzy Q]

Fill your hot water bottle Two Thirds not totaling full, so that you can carefully squeeze out any extra air in the bottle then screw the top back on. Every time I’ve heard of a hot water bottle bursting they haven’t taken the excess air from the bottle.

 

[Jennylolo]

Fill your hot water bottle Two Thirds not totaling full, so that you can carefully squeeze out any extra air in the bottle then screw the top back on. Every time I’ve heard of a hot water bottle bursting they haven’t taken the excess air from the bottle.

heard the same. The squeeze extra so important and wrap. Can't imagine putting it directly on especially with boiling water.

 

[Dennis]

It's always handy to have a hot water bottle close by during the colder months, whether you're snuggling up in bed or lounging about on the couch. We often rely on hot water bottles to soothe various aches and pains or just for a little extra warmth.

However, did you know that this seemingly harmless household item can carry lurking hidden dangers?

Despite their innocent appearance, a hot water bottle can sometimes pose a risk if not handled carefully, causing injury to its user. And recently, an unfortunate event made us all think twice about how we store and use these warming companions.

Stephanie Campbell, a young Melbourne resident, experienced a horrifying incident with a hot water bottle that drastically changed her life. She had placed the hot water bottle on her stomach to ease some pain, but after only 10 minutes, the bottle burst suddenly, leaving her with severe burns.

'There was pure boiling water on my stomach,' Campbell told a news source in a harrowing account of her ordeal.

View attachment 23181

A woman was hospitalised after receiving severe burns from a broken hot water bottle. Credit: YouTube/ACCC Product Safety.

The 27-year-old endured grave injuries as a result of the incident and was quickly rushed to a hospital. She went through surgery for skin grafts, with donor skin taken from her back to cover the wounds. Stephanie spent ten long days recovering in the hospital, reflecting on the mental and physical trauma this common household item had caused.

'It's quite hard looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing the scars on your body from what's happened just from a hot water bottle,' she said.

The doctors have noticed a significant uptick in hospital admissions from patients with severe injuries caused by hot water bottles.

'Hot water bottles come with a long list of warnings,' said Dr Dane Holden, reinforcing the need to replace them every 12 months and avoid filling them with boiling water.

For your safety and to ensure good practices with this household staple, please heed this expert advice:

1. Fill your hot water bottle with hot tap water instead of boiling water. It should be filled with no more than two-thirds of its capacity.

2. Use a fitted cover for your bottle or wrap it in a cloth or towel to prevent direct contact with the skin.

3. Do not keep a hot water bottle on your body for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Credit: ACCC Product Safety.​

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne woman sustained injuries after her hot water bottle burst while lying in bed.
• Stephanie Campbell was rushed to hospital with serious burns to her body and underwent surgery for a skin graft.
• Doctors have seen a significant number of people admitted to hospital with severe injuries after using hot water bottles.
• Consumers are urged to follow safety guidelines for hot water bottles, including replacing them every 12 months, using hot tap water instead of boiling water, and not filling them more than two-thirds.

Of course, we don't want to deter you from using this time-tested method of cosy warmth. However, it's crucial to always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and exercise caution when using hot water bottles.

Share this story with your friends and family to raise awareness about the issues associated with their improper use. Stay safe and stay warm, dear members!

I use wheat bags they are a lot safer but I suppose everybody does not have a micro- wave to warm them up.

 

[Kinchar]

It's always handy to have a hot water bottle close by during the colder months, whether you're snuggling up in bed or lounging about on the couch. We often rely on hot water bottles to soothe various aches and pains or just for a little extra warmth.

However, did you know that this seemingly harmless household item can carry lurking hidden dangers?

Despite their innocent appearance, a hot water bottle can sometimes pose a risk if not handled carefully, causing injury to its user. And recently, an unfortunate event made us all think twice about how we store and use these warming companions.

Stephanie Campbell, a young Melbourne resident, experienced a horrifying incident with a hot water bottle that drastically changed her life. She had placed the hot water bottle on her stomach to ease some pain, but after only 10 minutes, the bottle burst suddenly, leaving her with severe burns.

'There was pure boiling water on my stomach,' Campbell told a news source in a harrowing account of her ordeal.

View attachment 23181

A woman was hospitalised after receiving severe burns from a broken hot water bottle. Credit: YouTube/ACCC Product Safety.

The 27-year-old endured grave injuries as a result of the incident and was quickly rushed to a hospital. She went through surgery for skin grafts, with donor skin taken from her back to cover the wounds. Stephanie spent ten long days recovering in the hospital, reflecting on the mental and physical trauma this common household item had caused.

'It's quite hard looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing the scars on your body from what's happened just from a hot water bottle,' she said.

The doctors have noticed a significant uptick in hospital admissions from patients with severe injuries caused by hot water bottles.

'Hot water bottles come with a long list of warnings,' said Dr Dane Holden, reinforcing the need to replace them every 12 months and avoid filling them with boiling water.

For your safety and to ensure good practices with this household staple, please heed this expert advice:

1. Fill your hot water bottle with hot tap water instead of boiling water. It should be filled with no more than two-thirds of its capacity.

2. Use a fitted cover for your bottle or wrap it in a cloth or towel to prevent direct contact with the skin.

3. Do not keep a hot water bottle on your body for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Credit: ACCC Product Safety.​

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne woman sustained injuries after her hot water bottle burst while lying in bed.
• Stephanie Campbell was rushed to hospital with serious burns to her body and underwent surgery for a skin graft.
• Doctors have seen a significant number of people admitted to hospital with severe injuries after using hot water bottles.
• Consumers are urged to follow safety guidelines for hot water bottles, including replacing them every 12 months, using hot tap water instead of boiling water, and not filling them more than two-thirds.

Of course, we don't want to deter you from using this time-tested method of cosy warmth. However, it's crucial to always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and exercise caution when using hot water bottles.

Share this story with your friends and family to raise awareness about the issues associated with their improper use. Stay safe and stay warm, dear members!

I remember when young, my mother showed me how to fill it. First, add the hot/ boiling water, cap it then shake vigorously. The bottle will expand, carefully unscrew the plug a little to release pressure. That's easy.

 

[Wandiwa]

I use wheat bags they are a lot safer but I suppose everybody does not have a micro- wave to warm them up.

I'm curious, how many times can a wheat bag be reheated?

 

[Macarj]

It should never be filled with boiling water it weakens the rubber I am sure when you buy a hot water bottle there are instructions on what to fill it with and boiling water is a no no

 

[Jest]

It's always handy to have a hot water bottle close by during the colder months, whether you're snuggling up in bed or lounging about on the couch. We often rely on hot water bottles to soothe various aches and pains or just for a little extra warmth.

However, did you know that this seemingly harmless household item can carry lurking hidden dangers?

Despite their innocent appearance, a hot water bottle can sometimes pose a risk if not handled carefully, causing injury to its user. And recently, an unfortunate event made us all think twice about how we store and use these warming companions.

Stephanie Campbell, a young Melbourne resident, experienced a horrifying incident with a hot water bottle that drastically changed her life. She had placed the hot water bottle on her stomach to ease some pain, but after only 10 minutes, the bottle burst suddenly, leaving her with severe burns.

'There was pure boiling water on my stomach,' Campbell told a news source in a harrowing account of her ordeal.

View attachment 23181

A woman was hospitalised after receiving severe burns from a broken hot water bottle. Credit: YouTube/ACCC Product Safety.

The 27-year-old endured grave injuries as a result of the incident and was quickly rushed to a hospital. She went through surgery for skin grafts, with donor skin taken from her back to cover the wounds. Stephanie spent ten long days recovering in the hospital, reflecting on the mental and physical trauma this common household item had caused.

'It's quite hard looking at yourself in the mirror and seeing the scars on your body from what's happened just from a hot water bottle,' she said.

The doctors have noticed a significant uptick in hospital admissions from patients with severe injuries caused by hot water bottles.

'Hot water bottles come with a long list of warnings,' said Dr Dane Holden, reinforcing the need to replace them every 12 months and avoid filling them with boiling water.

For your safety and to ensure good practices with this household staple, please heed this expert advice:

1. Fill your hot water bottle with hot tap water instead of boiling water. It should be filled with no more than two-thirds of its capacity.

2. Use a fitted cover for your bottle or wrap it in a cloth or towel to prevent direct contact with the skin.

3. Do not keep a hot water bottle on your body for longer than 20 minutes at a time.

Credit: ACCC Product Safety.​

Key Takeaways

• A Melbourne woman sustained injuries after her hot water bottle burst while lying in bed.
• Stephanie Campbell was rushed to hospital with serious burns to her body and underwent surgery for a skin graft.
• Doctors have seen a significant number of people admitted to hospital with severe injuries after using hot water bottles.
• Consumers are urged to follow safety guidelines for hot water bottles, including replacing them every 12 months, using hot tap water instead of boiling water, and not filling them more than two-thirds.

Of course, we don't want to deter you from using this time-tested method of cosy warmth. However, it's crucial to always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and exercise caution when using hot water bottles.

Share this story with your friends and family to raise awareness about the issues associated with their improper use. Stay safe and stay warm, dear members!

i use a hottie and never do i leave the air inside, tip it over press out the air and screw on the cork?? it is inside a cosy. i love my hottie.

 

[Jest]

I use wheat bags they are a lot safer but I suppose everybody does not have a micro- wave to warm them up.

who would not have a microwave in this day and age. been here since the early 80's

 

[Lizzylou]

I'm curious, how many times can a wheat bag be reheated?

I give mine 3 minutes but always have a cup with water in with it, about half way is fine, I have heated mine up three of four times but not until it has gone cold.

 

[Lizzylou]

I use a wheat bag now, sadly it doesn't last as long as a hot water bottle, but I haven't used one since it burst on me and it was a new one which was probably about ten years ago now although could have been a little longer. I had been using a hot water bottle since I was in my 20's I was in my 50's when that happened.

 

[Bridgit]

I'm curious, how many times can a wheat bag be reheated?

I have had them last for 3 years - the stitching usually gives up the ghost. I use mine every morning when I get up and during the day if I am in pain - they are great.

 

[DrivingGirl]

I'm curious, how many times can a wheat bag be reheated?

Hundreds of times but never over heat or it will smell like burnt porridge forever. Also best to give it a rub down with Isocol occasionally as it can pick up smells from repeated body contact.
They’re the only reason I own a microwave oven.