A 21-year-old woman says she thought she could die after a hot water bottle filled straight from the kettle — against the maker's warnings — led to it bursting and now months of rehab.

Key points: Bree Schulz was hospitalised with third-degree burns to her back and second-degree burns to her arms

Bree Schulz was hospitalised with third-degree burns to her back and second-degree burns to her arms She requires months of rehabilitation and urges others never to fill a hot water bottle with boiling water

She requires months of rehabilitation and urges others never to fill a hot water bottle with boiling water An ACCC checklist includes the same message, as well as checking hot water bottles for cracks and wear before use

Bree Schulz from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, said the hot water bottle burst on her, seriously scalding her back and arms, as she went to bed one night in early June.

"I placed it beside me and so it wasn't even on me or touching at this stage," she said.

"I rolled over to give my husband a hug good night, and thank him for getting the hot water bottle for me.

"Within seconds I was just covered in boiling water.

"I was in this giant puddle of boiling water, and as I got out of bed, hit the deck and fainted.

"Because of the adrenaline and the shock of everything, I just collapsed on the floor."

Bree Schulz suffered third-degree burns on her back and second-degree burns on her limbs. ( Supplied: Bree Schulz )

Ms Schulz suffered third-degree burns on her back and second-degree burns on her arms.

"I was screaming, it was excruciatingly painful. I don't know why I didn't have 150 police cars responding, thinking I had been murdered," she said.

Ms Schulz said she thought she was going to die.

"I actually had a seizure from the shock and my body went into shutdown mode," she said.

"I was convulsing and my eyes rolled back in my head.

"Honestly, I had a really traumatic birth with my son and we both nearly lost our lives and this was worse than that. I cannot even fathom the pain of being burnt that night."

Ms Schulz was taken to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital then transferred to the burns unit at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.

Bree Schulz said her husband filled the hot water bottle from a kettle and within minutes it burst. ( Supplied: Bree Schulz )

'Don't use boiling water'

Ms Schulz said, like many others, she grew up always filling hot water bottles with boiling water filled from a jug or kettle.

Hot water bottle first aid: 1. Remove clothing and jewellery 2. Put burn under cool running for at least 20 minutes 3. Cover with clean cloth, keep patient warm 4. Seek medical advice for burns bigger than a 20c piece or with blisters 5. DO NOT apply ice, butter, creams, etc. Source: ANZBA

But she said after reviewing warnings, boiling water should never be used.

"I did feel a little silly, and some people have called me an idiot. But people don't know this and what may be common sense to one person isn't common sense to another person," she said.

"We all grow up differently and hundreds of people have grown up using hot water [straight from a kettle] and they've grown into adults and they are now doing the same things for their children and themselves.

"If I can just stop people from doing the same thing that I have done, that would be great."

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said each year up to 200 Australians are admitted to hospital because of serious burns from hot water bottles.

The ACCC said the burns can be deep and painful and can become infected, requiring long hospital treatments, including skin grafts, and often result in permanent scarring.

The consumer watchdog has released a checklist for using hot water bottles and said people need to check that the bottle has no signs of cracking, or wear, that could make it burst or leak.

Australian and New Zealand Burns Association (ANZBA) lists how to stay safe using a water bottle. ( Supplied: ANZBA )

"Do not use boiling water and if the water is very hot, add cold water from the tap," the ACCC said.

But they have also warned that using water from the hot water tap could degrade a bottle's lining.

Family relies on community for help

Ms Schulz has weeks, if not months, of rehabilitation ahead and during that time her husband will not be able to work, as he is needed to care for the couple's eight-month-old son.

Friends have set up an online donation page to help the family get by.

Bree Schulz will need to do extensive rehabilitation therapy to regain full use of her hands. ( Supplied: Bree Schulz )

Ms Schulz said being totally dependent has been devastating.

"Honestly, it has been one of the hardest things," she said.

"I struggle severely with mental health issues and so I definitely don't like to ask for help at all and it makes me feel extremely worthless.

"But a lot of people have said to me, 'you need to suck it up and you need to get the help' — because what other options do we really have?"

Ms Schultz will return to Sydney's Royal North Shore hospital for regular check-ups and has thanked medical staff and community nurses for their care.