A new recall of 1.5 million hand warmers has been issued in tandem by the manufacturer and a United States government agency. Following hundreds of burn injuries, several fires, and even a death, anyone who may have purchased the product, including from Walmart.com and Amazon.com, needs to be aware of the potential dangers. Learn more about which products are affected, how to identify them, and the manufacturer’s instructions for seeking a refund.
Why the Hand Warmers Were Recalled
On July 30, 2026, the website for the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall that was issued in tandem with Shenzhen Street Cat Technology Co., Ltd., dba OCOOPA Direct, of China. The release noted that roughly 1.5 million “OCOOPA Rechargeable Hand Warmers” were involved in the action. It provided the following description of the potential “hazard” represented by the ongoing use of the product: “The lithium-ion battery in the recalled hand warmers can overheat and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.”
The recall described the circumstances that led to the action, which included 1,480 reports of hand warmers overheating. It went on to detail that the malfunctioning product had resulted in 350 burn injuries, 15 fires and the February 2026 death of an 83-year-old consumer in San Diego, California. Following those incidents, anyone who has one of the affected products has been instructed to immediately stop using it.
Which Models Are Affected
It is very important to note that this recall involves products sold over a nearly eight-year period that only recently ended. The recall noted that the models of recalled products had been “sold online at Amazon.com, Ocoopa.com, Ocoopa.net and Walmart.com from September 2018 through May 2026 for between $15 and $60.” Given that lengthy timeline, anyone who has purchased a hand warmer in the last several years should ensure that they are not employing one of the described products. The notice provided the following instructions on how to identify which hand warmers are involved in the recall:
“This recall involves OCOOPA-branded rechargeable lithium-ion battery hand warmers, models UT3053, UT3056, ZLS-118, ZLS-118S, ZLS-118D, H01, and H01 (PD). The dual-sided, rechargeable hand warmers were sold in varying colors and designs, in packs of two warmers that can magnetically be joined and with a charging cable. The hand warmers have a USB-C port to charge the built-in lithium-ion batteries in each unit. The adjustable-heat hand warmers have LED indicator lights on the hard plastic shell and a silicone lanyard. ‘OCOOPA’ is printed on the top of the hand warmers and on the product packaging. The model number and three-digit batch number are printed on the hand warmers’ underside. “
How to Seek a Refund
For anyone who has purchased one of the OCOOPA hand warmer models involved in the recall, the manufacturer has provided the following instructions on how they can seek a refund:
“Consumers should stop using the recalled hand warmers immediately and contact OCOOPA Direct for a full refund in the form of an OCOOPA gift card or the original form of payment. Consumers will be asked to write in permanent marker “RECALLED” on the hand warmer and submit a photo showing that marking on the hand warmer, the model number and the product’s three-digit batch number to https://www.ocoopa.com/pages/product-recalls. Consumers should dispose of recalled products with the lithium-ion battery in accordance with applicable local and state hazardous waste regulations.”
Next: Urgent Costco Recall of More Than 207,000 Heated Socks Linked to Burns—How to Check if Yours Are Affected
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Jul 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
