The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia issued a warning about the correct use and purchase of wheat or grain-filled heat packs (heat packs).

The TGA alerted consumers to the risk of burns that can result from the use of heat packs, after receiving reports of personal injury caused by overheating.

Incidents involving heat packs that have been reported to the TGA include reports of burns resulting from heat packs as below:

• being heated and placed on or in bedding
• heated in microwaves for longer than the time specified by the manufacturer
• being reheated before being allowed to cool properly
• ageing, causing fillings to dry out and become combustible

To avoid burns or other personal injury, TGA advised consumers to:

• avoid buying packs with flammable casing or covers (wool and cotton-covered packs are recommended as they are non-combustible)
• always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use carefully, especially instructions for heating
• use heat packs for direct application to body aches or pain
• don't use heat packs in situations where the heat is confined (e.g. as a bed warmer, inside or on bedding)

For details, please visit the following TGA website: http://www.tga.gov.au/newsroom/media-2012-heat-packs-121122.htm

Posted on 23 November 2012