Hot water bottles don't have a fixed "expiry date," contrary to reports in the media which say that they do!
The date daisy found on your hot water is not an expiry date! The symbol is required by the British Standard for hot water bottles but the standard does not explicitly state what the mark is required for. It is used by manufacturers and suppliers for batch tracking however, it can be a good indicator of how old your hwb is if you don't remember when you bought it!
Did you know that production and shipping lead times from the Far East and South East Asia where 99% of hot water bottles are manufactured means that no hot water bottle would hit a UK retailer self with a 2 full year "shelf life"? This is why manufacturers and retailers provide any guarantee against manufacturing faults from the date of purchase [unless they state otherwise], and why the information that the date daisy can tell you the 2 year "expiry date" of a hot water bottle is incorrect.
The recommendation that consumers replace their hot water bottles at least every 2 years is also from the date of purchase. This recommendation is to ensure consumers are always using a hot water bottle that is safe and fit for purpose. This reduces the risk of accidents, such as leaks or bursts, that could occur if the material has weakened through use or incorrect filling, use and storage at home.
Please watch our safety video here.
You might also like to read our blog: When should I replace my hot water bottle?