Which? experts are warning that many hot water bottles may already be past their safe use-by date, and they are urging Brits to check a little-known symbol before filling up this winter.
As prices continue to rise, many people are looking for cost-effective ways to keep warm, reaching for jumpers, blankets and hot water bottles. However, the consumer group has highlighted a vital marking hidden on many bottles that reveals how long they remain safe to use.
Daisy wheel symbol reveals manufacturing date
In a video shared on Instagram, Which? explained that hot water bottles have a short lifespan, and the older they become, the higher the risk of them splitting, bursting or leaking. The daisy-like symbol features a number at its centre, which indicates the year the bottle was manufactured.
Which? said: "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."
How to read the petals and dots
They 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.
Recycling and buying new
If you need to get rid of an old hot water bottle, many are suitable for recycling - simply contact your local council to find out the best way to do so. Which? also advised: "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 buying a new one, look out for the manufacturing date symbol to confirm precisely when it was made - and to verify that it is indeed brand new.
