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| Melton Mowbray: 'I was badly scalded after hot water bottle burst' | |
| (8 days later) | |
| Karen O'Brien said she had made the mistake of filling her hot water bottle from the kettle | Karen O'Brien said she had made the mistake of filling her hot water bottle from the kettle |
| A woman has described the agonising moment she was severely scalded when a hot water bottle burst on her thigh. | A woman has described the agonising moment she was severely scalded when a hot water bottle burst on her thigh. |
| Karen O'Brien said she was badly hurt when boiling water spilled on to her as she sat on the sofa at her home in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. | Karen O'Brien said she was badly hurt when boiling water spilled on to her as she sat on the sofa at her home in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. |
| The 52-year-old said she remained scarred after the incident in March 2024, and wanted to warn people of the potential dangers of using hot water bottles. | The 52-year-old said she remained scarred after the incident in March 2024, and wanted to warn people of the potential dangers of using hot water bottles. |
| The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is advising people not to keep a hot water bottle for more than two years because the rubber can deteriorate over time. | The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is advising people not to keep a hot water bottle for more than two years because the rubber can deteriorate over time. |
| Mrs O'Brien was among 95 people who were treated for burns from hot water bottles at Leicester's hospital between 2020 and 2024, according to NHS figures. | Mrs O'Brien was among 95 people who were treated for burns from hot water bottles at Leicester's hospital between 2020 and 2024, according to NHS figures. |
| "I think my hot water bottle was probably about seven years old, " Mrs O'Brien said. | "I think my hot water bottle was probably about seven years old, " Mrs O'Brien said. |
| "I didn't know that you were supposed to look on the top of the hot water bottle [where] it says the date or how long it's been manufactured for. | "I didn't know that you were supposed to look on the top of the hot water bottle [where] it says the date or how long it's been manufactured for. |
| "I knew nothing about that. I was unaware that you're only supposed to keep them for a year to two years maximum and then throw them out regardless, even if they look okay." | "I knew nothing about that. I was unaware that you're only supposed to keep them for a year to two years maximum and then throw them out regardless, even if they look okay." |
| Mrs O'Brien was treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary | Mrs O'Brien was treated at the Leicester Royal Infirmary |
| Mrs O'Brien said she had made the mistake of filling her hot water bottle from the kettle. | Mrs O'Brien said she had made the mistake of filling her hot water bottle from the kettle. |
| She said: "I had it on my lap, got comfy on the sofa, just sat back and then it burst. | She said: "I had it on my lap, got comfy on the sofa, just sat back and then it burst. |
| "Nothing touched it, it wasn't squeezed or anything, it just burst. | "Nothing touched it, it wasn't squeezed or anything, it just burst. |
| "The pain was unreal. | "The pain was unreal. |
| "I was kind of in shock because I didn't know what had happened at that moment. | "I was kind of in shock because I didn't know what had happened at that moment. |
| "I just felt this intense pain on my leg. I jumped up, hot water bottle went on the floor, water went everywhere." | "I just felt this intense pain on my leg. I jumped up, hot water bottle went on the floor, water went everywhere." |
| 'Not worth the risk' | 'Not worth the risk' |
| Mrs O'Brien said a neighbour heard her screams and ran round to try to help before she went to the Leicester Royal Infirmary, where she had treatment to remove large amounts of damaged skin. | Mrs O'Brien said a neighbour heard her screams and ran round to try to help before she went to the Leicester Royal Infirmary, where she had treatment to remove large amounts of damaged skin. |
| She said the experience had left her wary of very hot water, including boiling drinks, and reluctant to wear shorts. | She said the experience had left her wary of very hot water, including boiling drinks, and reluctant to wear shorts. |
| She urged people to fill hot water bottles from a running tap and not give them to children. | She urged people to fill hot water bottles from a running tap and not give them to children. |
| She added: "If you've had your hot water bottle for longer than a year, throw it away, buy a new one, but if you can, just don't use one at all. | She added: "If you've had your hot water bottle for longer than a year, throw it away, buy a new one, but if you can, just don't use one at all. |
| "It's not worth the risk." | "It's not worth the risk." |
| RoSPA's head of policy Adrian Simpson said: "Always buy hot water bottles from reputable retailers. | RoSPA's head of policy Adrian Simpson said: "Always buy hot water bottles from reputable retailers. |
| "Rubber deteriorates over time, so regularly check for signs of wear and tear. | "Rubber deteriorates over time, so regularly check for signs of wear and tear. |
| "The age of a hot water bottle can be found on a daisy wheel imprinted on the neck or body of most bottles. | "The age of a hot water bottle can be found on a daisy wheel imprinted on the neck or body of most bottles. |
| "This flower symbol indicates the month and year when it was made." | "This flower symbol indicates the month and year when it was made." |
| He added: "The most common causes of hot water bottle-related injuries include using boiling water, overfilling the bottle, and using bottles that are old or damaged. | He added: "The most common causes of hot water bottle-related injuries include using boiling water, overfilling the bottle, and using bottles that are old or damaged. |
| "Burns can occur if the bottle bursts or leaks, or if it comes into direct contact with the skin." | "Burns can occur if the bottle bursts or leaks, or if it comes into direct contact with the skin." |
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