Warning from Katie Piper
Katie Piper is well-known for her ability to transform her personal tragedy into a successful endeavor, contributing significantly to the welfare of burn sufferers. Over ten years ago, she endured chemical burns inflicted by someone hired by a former close acquaintance. Despite her ordeal, she founded a nonprofit organization to assist other burn victims.
Recently, the Katie Piper Foundation issued a statement regarding the dangers of hot water bottles. A message on the foundation’s Instagram page emphasized the importance of checking the expiration date on hot water bottles to avoid serious burns and injuries. The post shared a personal story where Piper’s hot water bottle exploded, resulting in a month-long stay in the intensive care and burns unit at Chelmsford Hospital. She urged everyone to verify the dates on their hot water bottles to prevent similar incidents.
How to Use Hot Water Bottles Correctly
In a follow-up statement, the Katie Piper Foundation provided crucial safety advice for using hot water bottles:
- Protect Your Skin: Always use a cloth or towel to prevent direct contact between the bottle and your skin.
- Check for Damage: Avoid using old or leaky water bottles, as these can cause significant burns.
- Water Temperature: Never use boiling water, as hot water bottles were not designed for it.
- Heating Methods: Do not heat the bottle in an oven or microwave. Instead, fill it with hot water.
- Filling the Bottle: Fill the bottle no more than two-thirds full unless specified otherwise. Some models are designed to be fully submerged in water.
- Removing Air: Before sealing, ensure all air is expelled from the bottle.
“It would be great if all hot water bottles sold in the UK had a ‘flower wheel’ on the funnel that indicated the date of production…” the foundation explained. The number in the middle of the wheel indicates the year of manufacture, such as ’18’ for 2018. The surrounding 12 segments, often dotted, indicate the month of production.
