The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced an urgent recall of approximately 1.5 million Ocoopa rechargeable hand warmers sold through Amazon and Walmart. The recall was initiated after the products were linked to hundreds of burn injuries, multiple fires, and one reported death.
The safety agency determined that the hand warmers' lithium-ion batteries can overheat and ignite, posing a significant fire and burn risk. Ocoopa Direct has received 1,480 reports of the hand warmers overheating, resulting in 15 reported fires and 350 burn injuries. The company confirmed the death of an 83-year-old consumer in San Jose, California, in February 2026, following a fire involving one of the devices.
The recall affects Ocoopa-branded rechargeable hand warmers in various colors and designs, identified by model numbers UT3053, UT3056, ZLS-118, ZLS-118S, ZLS-118D, H01, and H01(PD). These products were sold in pairs that magnetically connect and included a USB-C charging cable. Each hand warmer features adjustable heat settings, LED indicator lights, a silicone lanyard, and 'Ocoopa' branding.
Consumers can verify if their product is part of the recall by checking the model number and a three-digit batch code located on the underside of each hand warmer. The products were available for purchase online through Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Ocoopa.com, and Ocoopa.net from September 2018 to May 2026, with prices ranging between $15 and $60.
The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the recalled hand warmers immediately. Customers are eligible for a full refund to their original payment method or an OCOOPA gift card. To process a refund, consumers must mark the device with 'recalled' in permanent marker and submit a photograph of the marking, along with the model number and batch code, via Ocoopa's online recall portal.
Consumers are cautioned against disposing of the devices in household trash, curbside recycling bins, or standard battery recycling boxes due to the fire risk associated with defective lithium-ion batteries. These batteries require special disposal procedures and should be taken to a local household hazardous waste collection facility or disposed of according to local and state regulations.
This recall highlights a growing concern surrounding products powered by lithium-ion batteries, which have been subject to numerous recalls in recent years, including portable power banks, e-bikes, electric scooters, and hoverboards. Consumer safety experts have warned about the phenomenon of 'thermal runaway,' a chain reaction in damaged or defective lithium-ion batteries that can rapidly generate intense heat and fire.
The CPSC encourages consumers to register rechargeable products when possible and to pay close attention to recall notices, as lithium-ion battery failures are an increasing product safety concern in the United States. Consumers who have experienced an incident with a recalled product are urged to report it to the CPSC's SaferProducts database to aid in monitoring further issues.