Hot Water Bottles: How to Choose One and Use It Safely

Choose a hot water bottle with a fabric cover, a date marking you can read and a stopper that seals finger tight. Fill it no more than two thirds with hot, not boiling, water, push out the air, and replace it at least every two years. UK burns charities report that hot water bottle injuries are rising.

How do you fill a hot water bottle safely?

The Children’s Burns Trust sets out a five-step routine for adults, and it matches the instructions printed with bottles made to the British Standard BS 1970:2012.

1. Hold the bottle upright by the neck.
2. Use boiled kettle water that has cooled for about 5 minutes.
3. Fill to a maximum of two thirds full.
4. Squeeze out the air, holding the neck away from you.
5. Screw the stopper in firmly. The BS 1970 instructions say “finger tight should be adequate.”

Then put the cover on before it touches anyone. The same instructions say that if prolonged skin contact could happen, “an adequate cover should be used to prevent burns.”

How hot should the water be?

Hot, but never straight off the boil. The BS 1970:2012 user instructions state plainly: “do not use boiling water.” RoSPA, the UK accident prevention charity, gives the same advice.

For a child’s bottle, the Child Accident Prevention Trust suggests cooled boiled water “around bath temperature.” Adults should still fill it for them.

How old is my hot water bottle?

Look near the neck for a small molded wheel that looks like a flower. It is called a date daisy.

• The number in the center is the year of manufacture.
• The 12 segments around it stand for the months.
• The month of manufacture is marked in its segment.

The BS 1970:2012 instructions recommend replacing a bottle “at least every 2 years from the date of purchase.” The Children’s Burns Trust explains why: “Rubber deteriorates over time so old hot water bottles can burst or leak and cause serious burns.”

What should you look for when buying a hot water bottle?

A few details separate a safe buy from a risky one.

Buy new rather than secondhand. A used bottle’s clock started at its purchase date, and you cannot know how it was stored.

Rubber, thermoplastic or a microwavable pack?

Bottles come in rubber or in thermoplastic (PVC), and BS 1970 covers both. Shape is a matter of use: long bottles cover more of the back or a bed, while standard sizes suit hands, feet and laps.

Microwavable heat packs are a different product, filled with grains or gel instead of water. RoSPA’s advice for these is to heat them only for the time the maker recommends.

Who should not use a hot water bottle?

The BS 1970:2012 instructions say bottles “are not suitable for use with infants or persons insensitive to heat.” That second group matters more than it sounds.

• People with diabetes. The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says: “Do not put a hot water bottle or heating pad on your feet.” It suggests socks in bed instead.
• Babies. The Child Accident Prevention Trust passes on Lullaby Trust advice never to put a hot water bottle in a baby’s sleep space. Warm the bed, then take the bottle out.
• Children. Don’t let them sit or lie on a bottle; pressure can make it burst. Both RoSPA and the Child Accident Prevention Trust give this advice.

Anyone with reduced feeling in the skin should ask their doctor before using any heat source in bed.

How do you store a hot water bottle?

Empty it completely after use. The BS 1970 instructions say to keep it drained, “with the stopper removed, in a cool, dry, dark place.” Check the bottle and stopper for wear before refilling.

What should you do if a hot water bottle burns someone?

UK burns charities use a three-step first aid message:

• Cool the burn under cool running water for 20 minutes.
• Call for help. In the U.S., call 911 for a serious burn.
• Cover the burn loosely with cling film (plastic wrap).

Hot water bottle or heated throw?

A hot water bottle needs no outlet and cools down on its own, which suits warming a bed before you get in. A heated throw keeps a steady temperature for longer. Our guide on whether heated throws and electric blankets are safe covers auto shut-off and cord checks.

Many people use both with a warm layer of fabric. Brushed flannel sheets hold warmth once the bed is heated, and our throw blanket guide compares sherpa, fleece and knit throws for the sofa. A covered hot water bottle also makes a practical present; see our cozy gift ideas.