In addition to warming our feet in winter, the hot water bottle is very effective in relieving joint pain, muscle contractures and stomach aches. But beware of the risk of burns, fires with water, dry or electric hot water bottles. Advice and precautions.
The hot water bottle is an essential accessory to warm up or soothe pain. But be careful to use it well to prevent it from bursting and causing serious burns. You don’t have to never sleep for example with a hot water bottle ! Hot water bottle, dry, electric… Precautionary advice.
Danger of the water bottle: the burn
The hot water bottle essentially exposes to a risk of serious burns if the product cracks or explodes. “The problem with the water bottle is that thethere is a risk of removing the plug with the foot, in which case the liquid will spread on the lower limbs, which can burn the skin to the point of requiring a graft. This type of burn mainly affects the elderly. They find it difficult to get out of bed, the burn lasts quite a long time and reaches the lower limbs, leading to irreversible consequences. Walking becomes impossible, which can promote slip syndrome in the elderly who will let go and lose interest in life faster than expected“, asks Professor Franck Duteille, head of the burns and plastic surgery department at the University Hospital of Nantes.
Danger of the dry hot water bottle: fire
An overheated dry hot water bottle is likely from catching fire as the temperature of the seeds continues to rise. A fire also exposes to the risk of poisoning during sleep. However, if the heating time is respected, the risk of burns is minimal.
Danger of the electric hot water bottle: electrocution
The electric hot water bottle is associated with a risk of short circuit and electric shock when the model does not comply with the decree “low tension”.
Never sleep with a hot water bottle
If it is pleasant to fall asleep with the heat of a hot water bottle, it is not without danger. Indeed, even if the risk of burns is low when the hot water bottle is used correctly, it exists and should not be neglected. Professor Franck Duteille is formal: “you should never sleep with a hot water bottle! It can be used to warm the bed and heat the room beforehand but we remove it before going to bed“warns the head of the burns and plastic surgery department of the Nantes University Hospital.
Do not keep a hot water bottle on you for more than 20 minutes
A hot water bottle should never be carried on you for more than twenty minutes, considering the risk of burns. Beyond that, the subject is exposed to a risk of heater dermatitis, which results in the appearance of a bright red rash. “It is essential to insist on the potential gravity of things. The hot water bottle is not a trivial object and it must be used with care. The treatment of a deep burn is heavy, it requires hospitalization for two to three weeks, a skin graft, then rehabilitation in a specialized center. The later in life it happens, the lower the chances of recovery.“, argues the specialist. Before specifying “the vital prognosis of a burnt person is evaluated with the Baux score, according to his age, the extent and the depth of the burn. A score of 100% means that statistically the person is dead. For example, the chances of survival of an 85-year-old subject who is burned on both lower limbs, i.e. 10% of the surface of the body, are 5%.“.
Avoid hot water bottles without the norm BS1970:2012
The DGCCRF conducted a survey national report on hot water bottles marketed in France in 2019 for assess their level of security. On 19 products sampled and analyzed16 were found to be “non-compliant” and 5 were considered “dangerous”. Incomplete instructions with regard to the standards in force, instructions in a foreign language or even absence of instructions, false allegations, insufficient resistance of the welds… In practice, hot water bottles that do not have the BS1970:2012 standard should be avoided, an internationally recognized UK safety standard for hot water bottles, and heated plush toys that do not meet BS8433:2004. It is also important to favor a quality hot water bottle, made in France or in Europe.
What precautions should be taken when using a hot water bottle?
Burns can be avoided by taking a few precautions.
- The hot water bottle should not never be applied directly to the skin but placed in a cover provided for this purpose or over a towel.
- Water bottles should be filled 2/3 full with simmering water and not boiling.
- Do not keep a hot water bottle on you for more than 20 minutes.
- At the slightest sign of wear, the hot water bottle should be replaced.
- Do not sleep with a hot water bottle.
Contraindications: who should not use a hot water bottle?
A hot water bottle should never be used in the following situations:
- in case of venous insufficiency because the heat causes the veins to dilate and slows venous return.
- in case of sensitive skin or skin disease (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis…)
- on an infected wound or sore
- on a joint or any area showing signs of inflammation
- in case of fever
- during pregnancy
- in case of diabetes
- in case of tumors
- in case of heart problems
Thank you to Professor Franck Duteille, head of the burns and plastic surgery department at Nantes University Hospital.