Jade was worried about what her wedding day would be like
A woman has spoken out about her ordeal after an “expired” hot water bottle burst, leaving her with severe burns. Jade McKenna let out a “piercing scream” as scalding water splashed onto her arm, causing painful blisters to form.
The 30-year-old, from Coventry, was immediately taken to the hospital and later referred to a specialist burn unit for treatment. As a bride-to-be, she was devastated—not just from the pain but also from the fear of not fully healing before her wedding to her fiancé, Chris.
“I howled out in pain with a piercing scream as the boiling water prickled my skin,” Jade told NeedToKnow. “I ran my arm under the cold water tap but I noticed blisters forming and saw the raw skin underneath.”
She added: “I was in complete agony.” At the hospital, Jade was informed if she hadn’t immediately put her arm under the tap, she could have suffered third-degree burns, which would have resulted in scarring
She also learned about a common mistake that many people unknowingly make. “They told me that hot water bottles have an expiration date, and mine was five months past it,” she shared.
Experts recommend replacing hot water bottles every two years, with the year of manufacture typically printed around the edges. This revelation left Jade feeling “stupid” and emotionally “scarred for life.”.
After the incident, she had the dead skin removed. During her recovery and suffering severe burns, Jade was unable to perform basic tasks and had to be signed off work for five weeks.
She recounted: “I was unable to type, drive, or even shower, as it was too difficult. I was told to do physio and regular exercises to prevent my arm from healing in a static position.”
During her recovery, Jade’s arm became highly sensitive to cold and warm temperatures causing her discomfort. Determined to heal in time for her wedding, she made sure she applied cream up to five times a day.
Her dedication paid off and she was able to enjoy her special day pain-free. She looked stunning as she and her husband tied the knot in October last year. Sharing her happiness, she said, “I was able to wear a shorter sleeve dress, which felt amazing.”
Although Jade no longer experiences extreme temperature sensitivity, she still feels the effects of her burns during showers. Reflecting on her journey, she said, “I consider myself lucky.”
For safety, she now uses an electric blanket and wants to raise awareness about the potential dangers of hot water bottles: “I wish I’d known hot water bottles had an expiry date on them – that’s why I’m sharing my story to warn others.”
Jade’s accident occurred in December 2023, with her treatment extending over several months. Her wedding took place in October 2024 and she has since made a full recovery.
