A Glasgow hospital has issued an urgent warning amid a surge in children being treated for burns.

Eleven youngsters attended the burns clinic at the Royal Hospital for Children this winter, which is more than double who were treated last year.

Experts think more parents are coming to the hospital with their children because more people are using hot water bottles as an affordable alternative to turning on the heating amid the cost-of-living crisis.

As people continue to use hot water bottles over the cold period, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is urging parents to take extra care with how they fill and use them.

Sharon Ramsay, a paediatric burns nurse specialist at the hospital, said: “We believe the number of patients coming to us with burns from hot water bottles may be higher due to the current cost of living and more people using them as an affordable way to stay warm at home.

“When filling these, especially as part of the bedtime routine, it can be easy to rush and that’s when mistakes happen.

"We’re asking families that are using hot water bottles for their children, and themselves, to take the time to consider the following steps to avoid any nasty incidents and unwanted trips to hospital."

NHSGGC has issued the following tips to ensure hot water bottles are used correctly and safely and that children are protected. 

Always use a hot water bottle cover.

Don't ever fill it with freshly boiled water from the kettle because this degrades the rubber and it's more likely to split when you're using it. Let the water cool to warm first.

Only fill the bottle about two-thirds and then gently squeeze out the air. Some of the injuries we see are a result of the child squeezing and some water coming out over their hands.

Never ask your child to fill the bottle while you hold it. The kettle can be quite heavy, and the child may spill or drop it.

Ensure the stop is on correctly.

Don't allow your child to sit on the hot water bottle, press it with their feet, or take it into their bed. Squeezing it is a child favourite and doing so too hard could cause it to burst.

Only use for two years after the bottle’s manufacture date. You'll find this date on the inside of the bottle funnel.  You'll see the month of manufacture and year of manufacture. You should only use it for two years following that date.