ITV’s Dr Amir Khan has issued a warning to people who use hot water bottles to keep warm. With temperatures plummeting in January, many people may be turning to them
With temperatures dropping across the UK, it’s perhaps expected that people may be turning to hot water bottles to keep warm. After all, when the house feels cold, many of us try all sorts of methods to get cosy and comfortable, but using a hot water bottle isn’t always as easy as it seems.
ITV‘s Dr Amir Khan recently issued a warning to Brits in a candid Instagram video to ensure people stay safe and don’t make any big errors. While it’s often considered an easy and cost effective way to warm up quickly, it can also pose dangers in certain circumstances.
The doctor issued some expert advice to ensure people use the bottle correctly. Not to mention, if you’re looking for money saving tips, there are also simple radiator changes you can use to heat your home more efficiently too.
In the clip, Dr Amir said: “Guys, it’s absolutely freezing in the UK right now and, if you and your hot water bottle are currently in a committed relationship, listen to this. I’m going to show you something that not many people know about.
“On the top of your hot water bottle is a tiny wheel. It tells you the months and year the bottle was made. So, in the middle of my wheel, it has the number 23. That means it was made in 2023, and then the segments around that number are the months of the year and they should have dots in them.
“Depending on how many are highlighted with dots will be the month. So my first three segments are highlighted with dots, so January, February, March, so this was made in March 2023.
“That’s important, because rubber degrades with heat and time, and hot water bottles should be replaced every two or three years. So mine really should be replaced now, because old bottles are much more likely to crack, they can split or they can leak boiling water onto your skin.”
He urged people to check theirs as, if a bottle splits when you’re using it, it could lead to burns. Dr Amir said this can be very “painful”, so he told people to be vigilant.
You need to make sure it’s in date before using it, and use hot as opposed to boiling water to fill the bottle up. It should be filled no more than two-thirds of the way, and it’s important to squeeze out any air.
He also noted it’s vital to place the stopper in the bottle and complete a leak check before using it. You should also never put the bottle directly onto your skin, so you need to invest in a cover.
Dr Amir said there’s no problem with using hot water bottles, but they need to be used safely and you have to ensure they’re in date. Following this advice is essential for safety.
How to use a hot water bottle safely
To use a hot water bottle safely, the key is to never use boiling water. Use warm water, and fill it to a maximum of two-thirds capacity. You should always use a fabric cover to avoid direct skin contact.
Each time before you use it, check the bottle and stopper for any signs of wear, cracks, splits or damage. If there are any issues, you should replace it.
Hot water bottles should normally be replaced every two to three years as the material degrades over time. The date of manufacture can be found in the middle of a “daisy wheel” symbol on the bottle’s neck.
When filling it, hold the bottle upright by the neck and slowly add water. Do not fill more than two-thirds full to allow for water expansion and to prevent bursting.
It’s also important that you never leave a hot water bottle on one area of the body for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time to prevent gradual burns. Don’t use a hot water bottle at the same time as an electric blanket.
