Yes, wheat bags are perfectly safe and can bring relief when heated properly.
As with any product involving heat, there is a danger of fire and a risk of injury to you if used improperly. Fire departments often advise caution due to improper use of wheat bags.
Wheat bag safety instructions
Always follow the instructions carefully to ensure your wheat bag isn't heated in a microwave for too long, or at too high a temperature.
Wheat bags are traditionally used for the intended purpose of application to the body over a thin layer of material, not as a bed warmer. They make a super alternative to a traditional hot water bottle and are often favoured due to reduced risk of scalding.
Wheat bags are a great holistic remedy to ease aches, pains, injuries and discomfort as well as aiding relaxation, so above all else, enjoy your instant personal warmer.
Read - Are wheat bags safe to use during pregnancy?
Wheat Bag Safety Tips
Do's:
- Refer to our heating instructions before heating your wheat bag.
- Use only as a heat pack for application to the body over a thin layer of material, such as clothing.
- Watch for over-use – an over-cooked odour, a smell of burning, smoking or charring.
- Leave to cool in a safe area and on a non-combustible surface, like a kitchen sink.
Don'ts:
- Don't use your wheat bag as a bed warmer.
- Don't over-heat (recommended maximum is 3 minutes for manufactured bags).
- Don't reheat the bag until it has completely cooled – which may be 2 hours after initial heating.
- Don't leave the microwave unattended when heating a bag.
- Don't store the wheat bag until it is cold.
Wheat bag fire safety
Continual heating and drying of the wheat bag may overheat it to ignition point. When heating it in a microwave, place a cup or bowl of water in with the wheat bag to reduce this risk. If the wheat bag is kept insulated after initial heating (for example, placed under bedclothes, or on a car seat in the sun), spontaneous heating can then occur and the wheat may catch fire.
Can wheat bags catch fire?
It is essential that care is taken when heating any wheat filled product to avoid damage and to ensure complete safety; it's important to note that burn holes can appear in the following circumstances.
- The product has overheated either because it has been heated for longer than the recommended time for the wattage of the appliance or re-heated before being allowed to fully cool to room temperature; a wheat bag must be completely cold before reheating.
- The turntable was not rotating properly, so the product heated unevenly causing a ‘hotspot’ to develop.
- The product came into contact with residue of food or liquid on the turntable.
- Something was inadvertently stuck to the fabric which caused it to smoulder when heated.
- Perfumes, lotions, saliva or sweat were present on the fabric.
- The product was not fully dry after cleaning before being re-heated.
- The product was covered after being heated, causing the wheat grains to char.