Preparing for Winter

Caterina

The hot water bottle that went bad (did not even burst or anything, just got a broken thread so it leaks slightly) was at least 18 years old!

The others still seem to be ok - we don't use them so intensively to wear them out, but they have had a fair use over the years since we have had the kids.

One per year - this feels a bit like throwing away the just-one-day-past-date food - if this is what makes you feel safe, please feel free to do so, but some people on this thread like to live dangerously LOL

Ok Ok now I shut up and finish packing my bag - train at 2 pm and bag not even packed yet! What am I doing, mucking about on my fav forum when I should be going to Italy?

Caterina

Justamum

titus.a.duxarse wrote: »

You can't be serious, Justamum! How wasteful is that? My hot water bottles are in use constantly throughout the year and I still manage to get 4-5 years safe use out of them.I never put boiling water in mine as that is the main cause of the rubber becoming perished.

Well it all depends on what's more important - saving a couple of pounds (which is all they cost) or suffering, or having your children suffer, severe burns. Rubber perishes whether or not you use boiling water. I don't use hot water bottles myself, but I got one for my DD1 this year as she wanted one. We did have a couple which we had had for a few years but hadn't been used for a long time, and I didn't want to risk them.

rosieben

Throwing out hot water bottles each year is far too wasteful, its not just the money - this throw-away mentality is literally costing the earth!!

Hot water bottles are perfectly safe if used properly. I've been using them for over 50 years (I hate electric blankets). I check mine over before I start using them each winter. I never use boiling water and I fill to just over half full and squeeze most of the air out of the top before I put the stopper in.

Surely if a child has a hot water bottle in their bed for an hour before they go up, then by the time they get into bed the water will have cooled sufficiently to not scald even if the bottle burst???

oystercatcher

I definitely think hot water bottles should last a few years. Just not forever and ever. It's well worth checking them regularly. I'm not sure if cheaper bottles are thinner and may perish quicker? Just chuck them if there's the slightest signs of stiff crackly looking rubber.
Remember that greasy stuff rots rubber so be careful what it comes in contact with if lying about in the kitchen etc waiting to be filled.

I had to start using a new kettle the other day (I won it in a raffle and it's been waiting for ages for the old one to wear out...they think I'm mad at work because I didn't start using it straight away!) the instructions said to fill it, boil, and discard the water, I couldn't bear to do that so I used the hot water to fill a hottie botty and it was LOVELY !! I think I shall use them more often to curl up with.

Oystercatcher

Lesley_P.

rosieben wrote: »

Throwing out hot water bottles each year is far too wasteful, its not just the money - this throw-away mentality is literally costing the earth!!

Hot water bottles are perfectly safe if used properly. I've been using them for over 50 years (I hate electric blankets). I check mine over before I start using them each winter. I never use boiling water and I fill to just over half full and squeeze most of the air out of the top before I put the stopper in.

Surely if a child has a hot water bottle in their bed for an hour before they go up, then by the time they get into bed the water will have cooled sufficiently to not scald even if the bottle burst???

I totally agree with you, Rosieben. It’s an unforgivable waste of resources throwing hot water bottles away which are only one year old. If used sensibly hot water bottles are perfectly safe and can give you many years useful service. Like you, I’ve used them all my life and I have never known them cause any injury. As the bottles get older, I simply check them more carefully for signs of wear and “retire” them if necessary.
A burst hot water bottle might be frustrating, but if properly used should never be a cause of injury.

pagangirl

Hi Caterina - glad you got your discount in Wilko's too :T
With my moisture traps, I usually wait till there's water showing, take the top off, and carefully pour the excess water down the loo - wear your rubber gloves coz it is corrosive - DO NOT let it get on your skin :eek:
My packaging says lasts 6-8 weeks, but last one did whole winter. If you have excess condensation - believe me - it will fill up with water!

mardatha

I've spent the last 2 days on the couch with a lovely hot water bottle on my back. It's one of those things that is beyond price when you're feeling low. I must buy a spare one..

cheap_charlie

mandy_moo_1 wrote: »

hope you don't mind me saying....DON'T forget to put a cup of water in the m-wave next to the rice bag, as it can easily get too hot and burst into flames...the cup of water makes the air and rice moist to stop this happening.

there was a story in my local paper recently about an old lady who suffered severe burns when her rice bag burst into flames in her bed whilst she was asleep......i don't want to frighten you, but i just thought you should know the dangers

i've always used rice bags, and they're perfectly safe if you remember to put the cup of water in the m-wave with it

I have recently purchased a couple of the wheat bags and there's nothing on the instructions about putting water in the microwave whilst heating them.

Can someone please confirm if you only need to do this with rice bags, or should it be done with the wheat ones too?

TIA :j

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

mardatha wrote: »

I've spent the last 2 days on the couch with a lovely hot water bottle on my back. It's one of those things that is beyond price when you're feeling low. I must buy a spare one..

I know what you mean mardatha,I'm the same when my sciatica's bad.Nothing else feels the same.Even the smell of a hot water bottle when your'e filling it shouts comfort in an old fashioned way.

angelkissingdevil

cheap_charlie wrote: »

I have recently purchased a couple of the wheat bags and there's nothing on the instructions about putting water in the microwave whilst heating them.

Can someone please confirm if you only need to do this with rice bags, or should it be done with the wheat ones too?

TIA :j

To be truthfully honest, I've never heard it on either. I've made and purchased both x