Consumer experts at Which? are urging households to check a hidden symbol on hot water bottles, warning that many may already be past their safe lifespan and could be at risk of bursting or leaking.
With winter approaching and temperatures dropping, many people are turning to hot water bottles to keep warm and save on energy bills. However, using an old or damaged bottle can lead to burns, so it is essential to check the product's condition before use.
The daisy wheel symbol explained
Which? highlighted that hot water bottles have a short lifespan, and the older they get, the more likely they are to break, burst or leak. The key is to look for the "daisy wheel" symbol, which indicates the date of manufacture.
In a recent post, Which? said: "This symbol means that I should have thrown away this hot water bottle years ago. See, hot water bottles have a short lifespan. The older they get, the more likely they are to burst or leak."
The daisy-like symbol has a central number showing the year the bottle was made, with the petals representing the twelve months and the dots indicating the weeks within those months. For example, a central number of 25 means the bottle was made in 2025, while 26 indicates this year. If two petals had seven dots in total, it means the bottle was made in the third week of February.
Replacement and disposal advice
According to the Children's Burns Trust, if a hot water bottle is more than two years old, it is too old. MoneySavingExpert also recommends replacing hot water bottles every two to three years, as rubber degrades over time and with usage.
Which? advised: "Remember to always check your hot water bottle before you use it for signs of wear and tear, like split seams, perished rubber and a poorly fitting stopper." Bottles with cracks or rips should be replaced immediately.
For disposal, Which? noted that old rubber hot water bottles can often be recycled, but advised checking with the local council to confirm whether they can go in the household recycling bin.
