While your stash of hand warmers is likely not top of mind while the summer sun is still heating up your days , a recent recall is worth paying attention to. Ocoopa has recalled 1.5 million rechargeable hand warmers across seven models after the lithium-ion batteries inside were found to overheat and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards. The company has received reports of 15 fires and 350 burn injuries, including the death of an 83-year-old consumer in California.
Below, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about this recall, what to do if you have any of the recalled models, and how to recoup your money — plus, we offer some alternatives that you can shop right now, before the cold season returns.
Why were Ocoopa hand warmers recalled?
On July 30, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published an announcement explaining that Ocoopa Direct had issued a recall of its rechargeable hand warmers. The lithium-ion batteries inside the recalled devices can overheat and ignite when in use or while charging, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.
Ocoopa Direct has received 1,480 reports of hand warmers overheating, resulting in 15 fires and 350 burn injuries. Among those injuries was the death of an 83-year-old consumer in San José, California in February 2026. The recalled hand warmers were sold online at Amazon, Walmart, ocoopa.com and ocoopa.net from September 2018 through May 2026 and cost between $15 and $60.
The recall covers Ocoopa-branded rechargeable hand warmers under the model numbers UT3053, UT3056, ZLS-118, ZLS-118S, ZLS-118D, H01 and H01(PD). The dual-sided hand warmers were sold in a variety of colors and designs, in packs of two that can be joined magnetically, along with a charging cable. Each unit has a USB-C charging port, adjustable heat settings, LED indicator lights and a silicone lanyard, with “OCOOPA” printed on top. The model number and a three-digit batch number are printed on the underside of each hand warmer. You can check this to see if you have a recalled model so that you can now.
What to do if you have the recalled hand warmers
If you have any of the recalled hand warmers, you should stop using them immediately. Consumers are asked to write “RECALLED” on the device in permanent marker and submit a photo of that marking, along with the model number and batch number, to Ocoopa’s product recall page in order to receive a full refund via gift card or original payment method. Because the devices contain lithium-ion batteries, they should not be thrown in the trash or regular recycling bins — and they should not be mailed back to the company. Instead, they need to be taken to a household hazardous waste collection center.
You can check your local city or county public works department to find your closest hazardous waste collection center, or go to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) site to search for a hazardous waste management facility in your area. It’s advised that you call to ensure that the center will accept defective lithium-ion batteries before you take them there.
Alternatives to rechargeable hand warmers
If you’re worried about a lithium battery, consider this variety pack of disposable warmers. The pack includes five pairs of hand warmers, five super warmers and three pairs of toe warmers — no batteries required. Each single-use, air-activated warmer heats up within minutes and lasts for hours, offering a no-charge, no-fire-risk alternative to rechargeable warmers.
HotHands Glove Warmers are stretchy, one-size-fits-most liners you layer under your own gloves, each with a built-in pocket to keep HotHands Hand Warmers close to your hands. They’re washable and reusable, and compact enough to slip into a backpack or purse. This pack comes with a free pair of hand warmers.
If you’d rather skip hand warmers altogether, a genuinely good pair of insulated, windproof and waterproof gloves like these can keep your hands warm on their own. They have a soft fleece lining and adjustable cuffs to lock out cold and snow. They also have touchscreen-compatible fingertips that let you use your phone without needing to take the gloves off.
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I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, and lifestyle. I have also written about the cyclosporiasis outbreak, the recent recall on eggs and how to relieve shoulder pain.
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