Turning up the heat on wheat bags

Wheat bags, the apparently humble and harmless alternative to the hot water bottle, have been found to be quite the opposite, according to new research.

A joint investigation by consumer advocacy group Choice and Channel 7 News found that children’s cuddly toys containing wheat bags needed only a few minutes in the microwave to pose a potentially deadly threat.

The investigation comes in the wake of related house fires, injuries and a death in NSW.

Choice head of media Tom Godfrey said it was alarming not only that wheat bags can reach ‘temperatures of more than 70 degrees when following manufacturer’s instructions’, but also that they are considered safe for children.

“It’s concerning to think that these wheat bags can find their way into cots and the hands of Australian kids”, Mr Godfrey said.

Wheat bags have been used for many years as an inexpensive, convenient and reusable winter warmer and heat treatment for sore muscles.

However, if they are heated longer than recommended, placed under bed covers or wrapped in a towel, the wheat may smoulder and self-combust, setting fire to the bag and surroundings.

In one test, a typical wheat bag was heated for just two minutes (at full power in an 1100W microwave oven). The outer material was a comfortably warm 50-55°C, but the internal temperature reached well over 70°C. Even higher temperatures were measured after another minute of heating.

In a second test with Channel 7 News, Choice assessed a wheat bag designed to go inside a polyester toy animal as a warmer for children. Going against the supplied instructions, it was microwaved with the toy animal covering still on for more than the recommended time.

After a few minutes the wheat bag was steaming hot, and after seven minutes it began to smoulder. The microwave was stopped after eight minutes because of intense and noxious smoke. The toy measured over 200°C.

While this was an extreme test, it does highlight the danger wheat bags can pose when misused.

The consumer advisory service suggests the following tips for using a wheat bag safely:

- Never wrap or cover a wheat bag.

- Avoid products that contain wrapped wheat bags, such as cuddly soft toys containing a compartment for wheat bags.

- To heat a bed, use a hot water bottle. Don’t use the wheat bag to warm your bed up, as it may spontaneously ignite.

- If you notice a burning smell coming from the bag, let it cool and then dispose of it.

- Fragrant oils added to the wheat bag may increase the fire risk.

- Avoid using wheat bags with children.