Households urged to check hidden symbol on hot water bottles — yours may need binning

Households urged to check hidden symbol on hot water bottles — yours may need binning Which? experts warned hot water bottles owners to check hidden symbol to make sure it doesn't risk burst and cause serious burns - here's what to look for The autumn chill has well and truly arrived, with winter fast approaching and bringing a notable drop in temperatures nationwide. For those finding the heating alone isn't quite doing the job, many households might be considering digging out their hot water bottles as an alternative way to stay warm while keeping energy costs down. Hot water bottles can provide excellent warmth and comfort, particularly when you're tucked up in bed. That said, it's crucial to ensure the product remains in good working order, as you could otherwise risk sustaining burns. Consumer experts at Which? have cautioned that your hot water bottle may well have exceeded its expiry date without you even knowing. They've pointed out there's one particular symbol you should look out for, especially if you're intending to use your hot water bottle in the near future. 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." Many hot water bottles feature a discreet symbol that indicates how long the product should safely last. Most people remain unaware, but hot water bottles do have a limited lifespan – as they age, they become increasingly prone to breaking, bursting or leaking, reports the Express. Which? has recently drawn attention to this expiry concern, encouraging hot water bottle owners to carry out a careful inspection of their bottles. The key thing to search for is the "daisy wheel". 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." What is the daisy wheel? The daisy-like symbol features a central number indicating the year the bottle was manufactured. Which? continued: "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." In one example, the daisy displayed a central number of 25, confirming it was produced in 2025, while a 26 would indicate the bottle was made this year, and so forth. You'll also notice that the daisy features 12 petals with a series of small dots within them. Should two petals contain dots, seven in total, this would indicate the bottle was manufactured in the third week of February. It's worth noting that the daisy wheel does not serve as a definitive expiry date, as the longevity of the item depends largely on how it is used and maintained. According to MoneySavingExpert, the widely accepted guidance is to replace hot water bottles every two to three years. MSE explained: "This is the advice from manufacturers (reiterated by accident prevention charities and medical professionals) and it's likely for safety reasons. Make sure our latest lifestyle stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by setting us as a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings. "Most hot water bottles are made out of rubber (some are made from polyvinyl chloride, commonly called PVC), and rubber does degrade over time and with usage." Failing to replace your hot water bottle on a regular basis could result in it bursting, potentially causing serious burns to yourself or those around you. Any hot water bottles showing signs of cracks or tears should be replaced straight away. 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." How to dispose of hot water bottles Should you need to get rid of an old hot water bottle, the good news is that many can be recycled — simply check with your local council to find out more. Which? said: "Old rubber hot water bottles can be recycled, but double check with your local council to see if they can go in your household recycling bin."