Woman recounts 'extreme pain' after hot water bottle accident

In the chilly embrace of winter, many of us turn to the comforting warmth of a hot water bottle to fend off the cold.

It's a time-honoured tradition, especially among us who feel the chill a bit more.

What happens when this seemingly innocuous household item becomes a source of severe pain and danger?

A mum shared her harrowing tale and a warning for those who continue to do this practice.


Melbourne local Vanessa Pouthier suffered excruciating burns after using a hot water bottle to stay warm.

Little did she know, this decision would lead to 'extreme pain I've never known before,' as she described.

Vanessa was relaxing on her sofa with the hot water bottle on her lap when it suddenly split open, scalding her with boiling water.

The burst left her with severe burns, which required immediate medical attention.


compressed-pexels-hot water.jpeg
Hot water should be handled with caution, and water bottles should be checked thoroughly to avoid accidents. Image Credit: Pexels/Katrin Bolovtsova


Her husband and daughter called paramedics as she performed first aid in the shower.

The aftermath of the incident was a long and painful journey.

Vanessa was admitted to the leading burns hospital, The Alfred, where she underwent two surgeries, received skin grafts, and spent time in the intensive care unit.

Despite the trauma, she felt grateful for the level of care she received and acknowledged that she was 'in excellent hands'.


Burns clinical nurse Mel Neely from The Alfred highlighted the gravity of such injuries, noting that the hospital treats at least 50 patients annually for bottle burns.

'We often see people admitted to hospital for weeks, require multiple surgeries and grafting and lead them to permanent risk of scarring,' Neely said.

So, what can we do to prevent such a distressing event?

It's crucial to fill hot water bottles with hot—not boiling—water.

Avoid direct skin contact, and one should never lean, roll, or press against the bottle, as it can split and burst.

Moreover, hot water bottles are not everlasting—they come with an expiry date and should be replaced annually.


Nurse Neely also recommended using heat bags.

These alternatives can provide the same warmth without the associated risks.

While we seek comfort in the little things that help us through the colder months, safety should be our top priority.

Check your hot water bottles for signs of wear and tear, and consider safer alternatives to stay warm without the risk.
Key Takeaways

  • Melbourne mum Vanessa Pouthier was severely burnt when her hot water bottle burst on her lap, leading to surgeries and time in the ICU.
  • Burns clinical nurse Mel Neely stated that The Alfred treats at least 50 patients annually for hot water bottle burns, which could lead to permanent scarring.
  • To minimise the risk of burns, Neely recommended filling hot water bottles with warm water, avoiding direct skin contact, and replacing bottles annually.
  • Health professionals also suggested using heat bags as a safer alternative.
Have you or someone you know experienced a similar incident? What measures do you take to stay safe while keeping warm? Share your stories and tips with us in the comments below.
 
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We dont use hot water bottles, electric blankets or heat packs. We use cotton sheets all year as flannelette causes my hubby’s asthma to play up when the fluff off the sheets gets up his nose. Luckily on really cold nights we can afford to run our ducted air conditioner in living areas and our bedroom for a couple of hours at night and in the mornings which warms the rooms and takes the chill off the sheets. It doesn’t take long to warm the bed up to nice and cosy once we snuggle together in it. We do have solar panels and a battery so that helps us with our power costs.
Bamboo sheets are good to get you warm in winter and cool in summer.
 
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A little hint for STUPID PEOPLE. ALWAY SQUEEZE OUT THE AIR OUT BEFORE SEALING THE BOTTLE TO PREVENT THE STEAM EXPANDING AND DON'T OVERFILL THE BOTTLE PAST 1/4 FULL.
 
A little hint for STUPID PEOPLE. ALWAY SQUEEZE OUT THE AIR OUT BEFORE SEALING THE BOTTLE TO PREVENT THE STEAM EXPANDING AND DON'T OVERFILL THE BOTTLE PAST 1/4 FULL.
I remember having one in tassie but never used it. Don’t they come with instructions stamped in the rubber and a piece of paper to warn you of the dangers.😊
 
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I love my electric blanket, put it on before I go to bed then turn of when I get in. I also use a hot water bottle when its really cold, and it has a cover on it.
 
My thoughts exactly when l saw the headlines. My mother never had problems with her's & when it started to get funny around the neck it went out, but took years to do so & always wrapped in a towel.
For as long as I can remember, my mum always had a water bottle. She used it for nearly every ache and pain. Never had any problems with it. I remember as a kid, I had the worst toothache. She said, get the hot water bottle. Yep, got rid of the pain until I could get to the dentist.
 
That’s a but rough calling people stupid if they are not aware of how to fill a hot water bottle. They don’t come with your instructions
 
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