Hot water bottle safety

Doctors and nurses across the UK are urging us to use hot water bottles correctly as they see children suffering serious burns after sitting or lying on hot water bottles.

How to fill your hot water bottle safely

• Check the hot water bottle for signs of damage. Look for splits in the rubber or along the seams
• Follow the instructions on the bottle
• Don’t use boiling water as it can damage the seams of the bottle. For children use cooled boiled water that is around bath temperature
• Don’t fill more than two thirds full
• Carefully let out the air from the bottle before putting the stopper on
• Make sure the stopper is screwed in straight, is tight and doesn’t leak.

Using your hot water bottle safely

• Lullaby Trust advises never putting a hot water bottle in your baby’s sleep space as they can overheat
• Don’t let children sit or lie on hot water bottles
• Never put a hot water bottle directly on your child’s skin, use a cover.

Do hot water bottles wear out?

Yes, they do. Old water bottles can break and cause serious burns.

Things that affect your hot water bottle:

• Regular use
• Filling it up using boiling water
• Storing it near a heat source, like an airing cupboard or radiator
• Damage from something sharp
• Storing it full of water as this can degrade the rubber.

Please check yours regularly for signs of wear and tear.

This flower symbol, found on hot water bottles, indicates exactly when it was made.

The number in the middle is the year it was made, the flower segments represent the 12 months of the year and the dots inside those represent the number of weeks. So this hot water bottle was made in April 2021.

But it may take some time between manufacture and arrival in shops. So most reputable manufacturers guarantee your hot water bottle for two years form the date of purchase rather than the date of manufacture.

Freezing hot water bottles

It’s a common heatwave hack we see online. To freeze a hot water bottle to keep you cool in the warm weather.

But the rubber in hot water bottles can degrade if you freeze them, making it unsafe to use with hot water later.

So, if you freeze a hot water bottle this summer, please don’t use it again in the colder months.

Buying a hot water bottle

It is safest to buy from a reputable retailer or brand you know.

Check for the British Standard mark starting with BS, look for a manufacturer’s mark and check the daisy symbol.

Always check your new bottle for damage before you use it. Fill it with cold water and insert the stopper. Turn it upside down to check the stopper fits and give it a gentle squeeze to check for any leaks.