A Coventry woman has issued a warning after an expired hot water bottle burst, leaving her with severe burns just months before her wedding. Jade McKenna, 30, suffered second-degree burns when scalding water splashed onto her arm, causing painful blisters and raw skin.
Jade described the moment of the accident: 'I howled out in pain with a piercing scream as the boiling water prickled my skin.' She immediately ran her arm under cold water, which doctors later said prevented third-degree burns and scarring. At the hospital, she discovered her hot water bottle was five months past its expiry date.
Experts recommend replacing hot water bottles every two years, with the manufacturing date printed around the edges. Jade said she felt 'stupid' for not knowing this. The burns required dead skin removal, physiotherapy, and five weeks off work. She struggled with basic tasks like typing, driving, and showering.
Determined to heal for her October 2024 wedding, Jade applied cream up to five times daily. Her efforts paid off, and she wore a short-sleeved dress on her big day. 'I consider myself lucky,' she said, though she still feels temperature sensitivity during showers.
Jade now uses an electric blanket and urges others to check expiry dates. 'I wish I'd known hot water bottles had an expiry date – that's why I'm sharing my story to warn others,' she added.
