Last week, one Hamilton women suffered second-degree burns on various parts of her body and went through “horrific pain” after a hot water bottle she was using burst.
Timely action on her part, prompt medical attention and follow up treatment saved her from more permanent damage. She has now decided to switch to a wheat bag as a ‘safer option’, she says.
A couple of days back, one of our work colleague escaped serious burn injuries when hot water spilled on her hand while pouring it into a hot water bottle. But her hand was saved from serious burns as, fortunately, water was not boiling hot.
There was another case in 2020 of a nine-year-old Cambridge girl who spent five nights in a hospital after being scalded when her hot water bottle leaked in bed.
Her mum Tracey shared her story to create awareness and prevent this happening to anyone else.
These are apparently such simple accidents, but the implications for the individual and family are huge.
ACC reportedly deals with hundreds of claims for hot water bottle-related burn injuries every year, and the number continues to rise.
When winters sets in, hot water bottles or the ‘hotties’ as some prefer to call, come out of storage to keep you warm in bed for a good night’s sleep, or snug on the couch while watching a rugby game.
Hotties are also commonly used to ease aching muscles of the aged or infirm;comfort or alleviating cramps caused by menstrual cycle. At times, children are also given these just to cuddle up in bed.
Follow basis safety measures to keep safe from burn injuries
People, however, forget any incorrect use or mishandling of hot water bottle, or using an unsafe bottle can result in serious burns. There is also a risk of hand burns when air is expelled while filling.
The hot water bottles are manufactured from rubber (latex) or thermoplastic, but rubber deteriorates over time.
The Australian & New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) reminds that “rubber hot water bottles perish, increasing the risk of leaks or splitting at the seams – especially if placed under pressure by a person lying on it in bed.”
The use of hot water bottle (and wheat bags) is “prohibited in hospitals and any requests for specific patient must be sanctioned by the Director of Nursing for the area.”
As these bottles are mostly used in beds or lying on a couch, therefore, legs, stomachs and thighs are usually the most affected burn areas due to splits or a leak.
These burn related injuries can be “deep, painful and may require long hospital treatment, including skin grafts, and often result in permanent scarring,” warns the ANZBA.
Hot water bottles that don’t meet the specified version of the British Standard are banned in New Zealand, and new ones should only have the Standard, BS 1970:2012.
In Oct 2021, Paramount Merchandise Company Limited (Paramount) was fined $104,000 for supplying banned hot water bottles and of making false and/or misleading representations that these complied with the standard when they did not. Read More...
Similarly, Ink Power Limited and Cinevan International Limited were earlier warned for supplying hot water bottles that failed to comply with an Unsafe Goods Notice.
Hot water bottles must’ve year of make, standard & safety warning(Photo: NewsViews)
Hot water bottles sold by another manufacturer were found to be unsafe and recalled by Product Safety.
Most hot water bottles come marked with a ‘daisy wheel’ date, which indicates when the bottle was manufactured, safety standard code and a prescribed safety warning on the bottle’s neck.
Each of the 12 segments in the daisy wheel represents a month of the year, starting with January at the top, progressing clockwise.
The last segment in a clockwise direction with dots indicates the month the bottle was made. The year of manufacture is given in the middle of daisy wheel.
Various safety agencies, including Product Safety and Burn Support Group, recommend some effective measures to help you remain safe:
At time of buying, check if it displays Standard, BS 1970:2012 and manufacturing date. Do not buy if older than three years.
Before filling do a visual check to see if it is safe to use; stopper has a washer and closes tightly.Do not use if it shows any signs of wear or tear.
Fill with hot, but not boiling water as hot water bottle’s rubber cannot withstand boiling hot water for a long time and can damage the seams.
Hold the hot water bottle by the neck in an upright position for stability, with its bottom touching a flat surface. If you hold it by its body, the top may flop over causing hot water to spill on your hand.
As a safeguard, consider wrapping a towel around your hand in case hot water spills accidentally while pouring.
Fill to a maximum of three-quarters only – do not overfill.
Once finished filling, slowly squeeze to expel air so that the water level rises to just below the opening of the bottle. Then carefully close/tighten the stopper. Finger tight is adequate. Don’t over tight as it can cause the seal to crack and leak. Now turn the bottle upside down to check for leaks.
Use a cover, or wrap the bottle in a towel for use as it limits risk of scalding and burns from prolonged direct contact.
Empty your water bottle after use and hang it upside down to dry, leaving it open. Do not keep it in direct sunlight. Once inside is completely dry, store it in a dry location. Storing it wet can result in growth of mould inside the bottle.
Check your hot water bottle for splits or tears frequently and replace bottle periodically, at least every two years.
Do not lie or sit on the hot water bottle.
Use hot water bottle to warm your bed. Leave it under your blanket/duvet for 10-15 minutes before going to bed. Remove bottle before you enter bed to avoid accidental risk of injury or bursting once you fall asleep.
Do not use electric blanket and a hot water bottle at the same time to warm your bed.
Take extra care when hot water bottle is used by the elderly, children and those with sensory deficits.
One thought on “Get the most out of your hot water bottle – effectively and safely”
Informative & educative tips that we often ignore in our daily routine. And, I wasn’t aware nor ever noticed year of manufacture on bottle. Good to know
Informative & educative tips that we often ignore in our daily routine. And, I wasn’t aware nor ever noticed year of manufacture on bottle. Good to know