Warning to replace your hot water bottle and how to check if yours is unsafe

It’s that time of year where many are dusting off their hot water bottles from the back of the cupboard in a bid to keep warm.

This old-school method is a cheap way to battle the cold if you’re trying to cut energy bills and refrain from switching on your radiator. But did you know each hot water bottle has a hidden code that will tell you if it’s safe to use?

If you are only just reaching for your hot water bottle now after years of storage, it's unlikely you remember the exact year you bought it.

A warning has been issued to anyone who uses a hot water bottle as it is important to remember that old bottles degrade over time and can run the risk of splitting open, covering you or your children in scalding water.

Consumer expert Alice Beer explained the system and its importance on This Morning earlier this week. She also shared the story of a parent whose child has suffered third-degree burns thanks to a burst hot water bottle.

Unfortunately this is a sadly common occurrence with Chelsea and Westminster hospital seeing people suffering hot water bottle burns at least once a week, theLiverpool Echoreports. Alice explains: "Half of hot water bottle injuries need skin grafts and surgeries. These are not surface burns, these go really deep."

Hot water bottles can be used for around three years before they need replacing – but how do you know when it is time for a new one? While some come with an expiry or manufacture date, many have a rather more complicated system.

In her demonstration on the ITV show, Alice explains: "You don't know about it because this is a brand new hot water bottle in a fluffy cover. Why would you ever take it off unless it got dirty. I'm sorry, but I think this is the worst system for printing a date because it's so confusing.

"Inside you have got a daisy wheel date. It's got 12 segments and in the middle of this one you have got a 22. This one was made in 2022. Then you have 12 segments around the outside and those are the months.

"You can tell the month it was manufactured from when the dots end. It's got dots in eight segments so it was made in August."

Most hot water bottles have date stamps on a daisy-like wheel on the inside neck of the bottle. 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. If your hot water bottle doesn’t have this symbol get rid of it sharpish as it probably means it is past its expiration date.

People also should avoid using boiling hot water and should regularly remove any cover to check the condition of the bottle to avoid any nasty accidents.

READ NEXT:

  • Click here for today's top showbiz news

  • Pregnant Amy Childs admits she's 'back to square one' following twins surprise

  • Ferne McCann's pals hit back at alleged voice notes of star targeting ex's acid attack victim

  • EastEnders favourite quits BBC One soap after three years in surprise exit

  • For the latest news on your favourite celebrities, sign up for OK!'s daily newsletter here

Source: Read Full Article