Wheat bags can be a great help for aches and pains BUT they’re the cause of many household fires due to overheating or being used to warm bedding materials.
As physiotherapists we often recommend the use of superficial heat
(it’s one of the 7 interventions endorsed for acute low back pain in this table from the Lancet Low Back Pain Series)
But, because of the fire and burns risk from using a wheat bag, safety comes first.
You can download a high resolution version of this handout that we give to our clients whenever we recommend wheat bags…
…and here’s some more information about the 8 tips to keeping warm but safe:
1. Heat wheat bags with a cup of water in the microwave
Wheat bags, especially older ones, can dry out and smoulder. But if you place a cup of water in the microwave when you’re heating it up?
The moisture helps to prevent the fillings from drying out and catching fire.
2. Turn over your what bag every 30 seconds when you’re heating it
If you heat a wheat bag in one go, the heat might concentrate in one spot and start a fire.
By turning it over ever 30 seconds, this helps to prevent overheating or heat concentrating in one spot
(this is especially important if it’s a new wheat bag and you haven’t tested-and-adjusted how long to heat it up OR it’s been used recently and may not have cooled down properly)
3. Don’t use wheat bags to warm up your bed
Wheat bags shouldn’t be used as a substitute for an electric blanket or hot water bottle:
Confined spaces can trap heat and wheat bags can spontaneously ignite.
4. Never sleep with a wheat bag
If you sleep with a wheat bag then there’s an increased risk of:
- A burn occurring (particularly if there’s a sensation deficit), or
- A fire starting and getting out of control before it’s noticed.
Don’t let anyone, particularly people with fragile skin, sleep with a wheat bag.
5. Store wheat bags on a non-combustible surface
When you’ve finished, place on a ‘fire safe’ surface like the kitchen sink:
This way, if a fire starts after it’s been used, it’s not going to set anything else on fire.
6. Allow wheat bags to completely cool before reheating
If a wheat bag is re-used before it’s fully cooled down, it can create a risk of catching fire. This is particulary the case if you just re-heat it for the same time, again and again, without checking it.
So to ensure wheat bag safety, remember that cooling down may take around 2 hours or even more (so you might need more than one wheat bag)
7. Check your wheat bag for damage after each use
Before (and after) each use it’s important to check the material, the stitching, and for signs of scorching:
Replace if there’s any burning smell during heating or any signs of wear and tear
(even if it doesn’t catch on fire, hot contents may spill out and cause a burn)
8. Only buy wheat bags with clear instructions
Be especially cautious with DIY wheat bags from arts and craft fairs or market stalls:
It’s hard to know what materials have been used, how old and dry the wheat is, and if any other fillers have been used.
Additional Precautions
Some other things to consider are that:
- Elderly (and babies) have fragile skin that can burn deeper and more quickly than adults, and at lower temperatures.
- People with diabetes and people who have decreased sensation to the limbs (eg following stroke) have an increased risk of being burned without knowing it
This is why us physiotherapists always screen who can and can’t use wheat bags…
…and conduct thermal sensation testing as part of a suitability risk assessment.
Summary: Wheat Bag Safety
Wheat bags can be a great help for aches and pains… but they do come with risk.
If you use wheat bags, remember these precautions. If you’re in a position where you recommend a wheat bag, safety comes first:
- Ensure the person doesn’t have any contraindications to the use of heat
- Confirm they have adequate sensation, and
- Make sure they’re aware of these precaustions
Download a copy of our Wheat Bag Safety Handout here, and get in touch if you have any questions
References:
Foster et al (2018), Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet, Vol. 391, No. 10137. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)30489-6/fulltext [Accessed 9th May 2022]