Victorians are being reminded to prioritise safety when using heating products such as hot water bottles, fireplaces and wheat bags this winter.
Issuing the reminder, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Melissa Horne said taking a few moments to read warning labels properly could be the difference between a warm night at home or a trip to the emergency room.
“As the colder months have settled in and with energy prices rising, it’s understandable some Victorians are using cheaper alternatives to stay warm – which is why it’s critical to always read safety labels and only use products as directed to prevent serious injury,” Ms Horne said.
“Cheap winter warmers like hot water bottles can be a great cost-effective way to stay warm during winter, but it’s important to ensure you’re using them safely,” she said.
“A few safety precautions such as never filling your hot water bottle with boiling water, hanging it up to dry before reusing it and replacing it every 12 months will go a long way to avoiding putting yourself in danger.”
Ms Horne also urged people to replace their hot water bottles as soon as they started to look cracked or worn and to never leave it on one body part for more than 20 minutes.
“In addition to hot water bottle safety, it’s important to be diligent around all heating products to ensure your safety this winter,” the Minster said.
“This includes cleaning chimneys, checking electric blankets and using wheat bags as directed.”
