Experts warn of hot water bottle danger

“I got up early and thought I’d do some work. I prepared my hot water bottle and sat on the couch with my laptop,” said the university lecturer.

Within seconds the hot water bottle had exploded on her lap and Vanessa was rushed into a cold shower by her quick-thinking partner.

“I was in an extreme pain I’ve never felt before.”

“I loved my hot water bottle and used it all the time,” said Vanessa, who sustained 11 per cent body burns, eventually requiring two surgeries, a two week admission to The Alfred including three days in ICU, and a skin graft.

“The hot water bottle was just over 12 months old, but I’ll never use one again.”

Director of the Victorian Adult Burns Service at The Alfred Dr Dane Holden said the hospital sees approximately 50 preventable hot water bottle burns injuries per year, the majority during winter.  

“Particularly around the colder months, when people are using them for heating, we get a steady stream of admissions,” he said.

“We’ve seen an increase in the total number every year and we expect that to continue to increase this year.”

Dr Holden said most people don’t realise that hot water bottles should only be used for 12 months and then replaced after that.

“On every Australian water bottle there should be a date marker, which tells you which month it was manufactured and how old it is,” he said.

“It’s also important to not fill it with boiling water, but rather hot water, not to put any pressure on it and to wrap it in something before applying it directly to the skin.”

He said people who experience a water bottle burn should remove the heat source and any clothing that has the boiling water on it, before running the area under cold water for 20 minutes and seeking emergency or medical assistance if required.