Consumer expert urges people to replace hot water bottles after three years 

With the cold weather creeping in and energy bills creeping up, many people have resorted to using hot water bottles for extra heat this winter. Picture: Thinkstock/PA.

With the cold weather creeping in and energy bills creeping up, many people have resorted to using hot water bottles for extra heat this winter.

But a consumer expert has warned that "half of hot water bottle injuries need skin grafts and surgeries" and she urged people to replace them at appropriate intervals.