Brits are being warned of the potential dangers of sleeping with a hot water bottle during the winter.
Sleep experts at WinstonsBeds.com have revealed the risks of falling asleep with a hot water bottle saying it can lead to severe burns and rashes as well as night sweats.
With temperatures dropping, many will be looking for inexpensive ways to keep warm at night time.
A hot water bottle can be a great way to heat up the bed before a cosy night’s sleep but it can be extremely dangerous to nod off with it by your side.
Over time the material can start to degrade making it less protective meaning burns and injuries are more likely.
Not only should hot water bottles be replaced every three years, but they should also be cleaned after each use with their ribbed design being the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
Rebecca Swain, sleep expert at WinstonsBeds said: “Hot water bottles are a great way to warm up in bed before you nod off but it becomes a problem for those who have gotten into the habit of sleeping with one all night.
“They aren’t designed to handle any type of stress, pressure or weight which means if you roll onto it during the night, you risk causing the bottle to leak and this could lead to some serious burns and blisters if the water is still hot.
“If you’ve had your hot water bottle for a while then this is a concern as the material is likely to have degraded over the years making it weaker and more prone to splitting.
“Using a hot water bottle is a great alternative to putting the heating on so there’s no reason to stop using them, just ensure you’re taking it out of the bed before you drift off to sleep!”
Five reasons why you shouldn’t sleep with a hot water bottle:
- Burns
One of the most obvious reasons why we shouldn’t sleep with a hot water bottle is due to the risk of burns. Keeping the hot water bottle in direct contact with your skin for too long can lead to burns.
- Skin irritation
The direct heat and material of the bottle itself can also lead to red rashes and irritated skin.
- You could split the bottle
Hot water bottles are not designed to be sat on and accidentally laying on top of them in the night could cause them to split which can lead to blisters and burns. Older hot water bottles may be more likely to split as their material will have deteriorated over time.
- Increases risk of infection
Unless you are cleaning your hot water bottle after every use then it can become a breeding ground for bacteria especially if it’s being kept in your bed every night. Sleeping with a hot water bottle for eight hours straight can increase the risk of infection if it comes into contact with broken skin.
- Overheating
Falling asleep with a hot water bottle can cause our bodies to overheat during the night. This can cause night sweats and a disrupted sleep.