A Newcastle mother, El, was left with excruciating burns after a simple act of preparing her daughter Willow’s school water bottle turned into a nightmare. The incident occurred as El was getting ready for Willow’s first day of kindergarten, eagerly packing her new school bag with a fresh lunchbox and a specially purchased water bottle. Little did she know that this routine task would result in a painful burn that she would never forget.
The unforeseen accident unfolded on a seemingly ordinary evening earlier this month. El, a 35-year-old mother of two, decided to sterilize Willow’s b.box 500ml insulated drink bottle with freshly boiled water. Her intention was to ensure that the bottle was clean and safe for her daughter to use at school the next day. However, the routine cleaning process took a tragic turn when the scalding hot water spurted out of the bottle, splashing all over El’s neck in a split second.
The intensity of the burn immediately took El by surprise, causing her extreme pain and distress. She described the sensation as feeling like her skin was on fire, leaving her breathless and in a state of panic. Despite her shock and agony, El managed to treat her burn promptly under a cold shower, following the correct first aid procedure. However, the excruciating pain persisted, making it difficult for her to even breathe properly.
In the aftermath of the accident, El was rushed to the local hospital by ambulance, where doctors diagnosed her burn as a second-degree injury. The burn covered the entire right side of her neck and parts of her collarbone, leaving her with oozing, blistering, and peeling skin. The traumatic experience of dealing with the aftermath of the burn continues to haunt El as she worries about the possibility of a permanent scar.
Reflecting on the incident, El took full responsibility for the accident, acknowledging that it could have been prevented with proper caution and adherence to safety guidelines. She emphasized that she did not blame the b.box bottle for the mishap, acknowledging that there were instructions regarding the safe use of the product that she overlooked in her haste. El expressed gratitude that her children were not present in the kitchen when the accident occurred, recognizing the importance of being vigilant around boiling water in all circumstances.
Following the incident, El has pledged to be more cautious and mindful of safety warnings when handling hot liquids, emphasizing the importance of reading and following product instructions carefully. In response to the incident, b.box, the manufacturer of the drink bottle, reiterated the safety warning included in each bottle’s care instructions booklet and on their website. The company expressed regret over El’s experience and emphasized their commitment to designing safe and user-friendly products, accompanied by detailed care and use instructions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As El continues to recover from her burn and cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of the accident, she hopes that sharing her story will serve as a cautionary tale for others. Her experience serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and following guidelines when using household products to prevent unforeseen accidents and injuries. The incident has left a lasting impact on El, prompting her to be more vigilant and mindful in her everyday tasks, especially when it comes to handling potentially hazardous substances like boiling water.
