Consumer experts at Which? have issued urgent advice for households using hot water bottles this winter, warning that bottles older than two years may be unsafe and risk breaking, bursting, or leaking. The warning comes as UK weather maps show temperatures set to plunge below 0C in 10 counties.
While many people turn to central heating, others use hot water bottles to warm themselves rather than the entire room, helping to keep energy bills low. However, Which? experts highlighted a little-known sign that indicates whether a bottle is still safe to use.
The Daisy Wheel Symbol
Hidden on many hot water bottles is a symbol that reveals exactly how long the bottle is safe to use. In a video posted to Instagram, experts at Which? explained: "According to the Children's Burns Trust, if yours is more than two years old, it's too old. To make sure, you can check your bottle's date of manufacture, just look out for this handy daisy wheel symbol."
The daisy-like symbol features a number at its centre, which indicates the year the bottle was manufactured. The experts added: "And if you want to be more specific, the petals represent the twelve months of the year and the dots are the weeks in those months."
Using one symbol as an example, the daisy displayed the central number 24, confirming it was produced in 2024. Two of the petals contained dots, seven in total, indicating it was manufactured in the third week of February.
Safety and Disposal Advice
Should you need to dispose of an old hot water bottle, many can be recycled - simply check with your local council to find out how. The experts said: "Always remember to 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."
When purchasing a new one, keep an eye out for the manufacturing date symbol to confirm exactly when it was produced - and to ensure it is brand new.
Public Reaction
Commenting on the post, one user said: "My nana has one that is made of beads and you warm it up in the microwave." Another user added: "99% sure they won't burst if you use hot water from a tap rather than boiled water." A third user said: "That's why I prefer cherry-stone-pillows. Buy them once, be worry free for basically ever."
