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Hot water bottle warning after woman's severe burn

Sharon Portingale Picture of Sharon Portingale smiling Sharon Portingale
Sharon Portingale suffered burns that got so badly infected, they affected her mobility

A woman suffered severe burns from a hot water bottle has warned others to be wary of using them as many look for cheaper ways to stay warm in winter.

Sharon Portingale, 50, woke up surrounded by fluid with a blister on her leg after taking a hot water bottle to bed.

Nearly two years on, Ms Portingale, from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has still not been discharged from Morriston Hospital after experiencing mobility issues caused by her injuries.

It comes as an appeal has been launched by the Children’s Burns Trust following a 55% increase in hot water bottle burns to children.

Warning, this article contains a graphic image of a burn injury

Ms Portingale does not have much sensation in her feet and legs due to nerve damage from the third degree burns, meaning her feet are regularly cold.

"When I woke up the bed was wet and it was running down my leg, it was fluid from a blister but I didn't know at the time," she said.

"Because I have nerve damage, I couldn't feel the hot water bottle against my leg so a huge blister developed."

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Ms Portingale said it was a "really horrible experience" as the burn became infected spread to her ankle and prevented her from walking.

"I no longer use a hot water bottle, I have an electric blanket instead now," she added.

"I think it is really important that people are informed about this as these things can be more dangerous than people realise."

Sharon Portingale Picture of the third degree burn beneath a bandage which has become infected with pus. Sharon Portingale
Experts warn against filling hot water bottles with boiling hot water

Burns centre practitioner at Morriston Hospital, Janine Evans, said there has been a noticeable spike in incidents recently.

She said the hospital had already seen more hot water bottles injuries this year than the whole of last year.

"We see over one patient per week which needs urgent burn care, this is because of the cost of energy and heating homes, people are worried and in some cases have no choice but to find cheaper ways of keeping warm," she said.

"People should be informed of the dangers."

Hot water bottle safety tips

  • Fill it with hot, not boiling, water
  • Make sure the stopper is securely screwed on
  • Fill to a maximum of three-quarters full
  • Wrap in a towel to prevent direct contact with skin
  • Avoid taking the bottle to bed
  • Replace after two years