OCOOPA Recalls 1.5 Million Rechargeable Hand Warmers Over Fire and Burn Hazards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and OCOOPA Direct announced a sweeping OCOOPA hand warmer recall on July 30, 2026, covering about 1.5 million rechargeable, lithium-ion hand warmers after the devices were tied to fires, hundreds of burn injuries and one death. The agency is urging owners to stop using the pocket-sized warmers immediately, because the batteries inside can overheat and ignite without warning. It is one of the largest consumer battery recalls of the year, and it lands just as cold-weather shoppers begin stocking up.
What happened
According to CPSC recall notice 26-659, the lithium-ion battery in the affected OCOOPA hand warmers can overheat and ignite, posing a serious fire and burn risk. The numbers behind the recall are striking: the CPSC and OCOOPA Direct have received roughly 1,480 reports of the warmers overheating, including 15 fires and about 350 burn injuries. Tragically, one death has been reported, an 83-year-old woman in San Diego, California, in February 2026.
The recalled units were imported by Shenzhen Street Cat Technology Co., Ltd., which does business as OCOOPA Direct, and were sold widely across the United States. Consumers bought them on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Ocoopa.com and Ocoopa.net from September 2018 through May 2026, at prices ranging from about $15 to $60. Because they were marketed as an everyday winter accessory and often sold in two-packs, many households may own more than one.
Why the hand warmer recall matters for safety
Rechargeable hand warmers are, at their core, small lithium-ion battery packs that you hold against your skin or tuck into a pocket. That is exactly what makes a failure so dangerous. When a lithium-ion cell goes into thermal runaway, it can heat rapidly, vent hot gases and catch fire in seconds. A device designed to sit in a glove, a coat pocket or a bed is close to skin and to flammable fabric when that happens, which helps explain why a warmer that overheats can cause both direct burns and a spreading fire.
The scale of this recall is a reminder that “small” battery products are not automatically low-risk. The same chemistry that powers phones, e-bikes and power banks is packed into inexpensive seasonal gadgets, and quality control varies from brand to brand. For anyone who works or plays outdoors in the cold, from construction crews and warehouse staff to hunters, spectators and commuters, a warmer that can ignite is a genuine occupational and home safety concern.
How to tell if yours is recalled
The recall covers OCOOPA rechargeable, dual-sided hand warmers sold in several colors, with USB-C charging ports, LED indicator lights, silicone lanyards and the ability to snap two units together magnetically. Check the model number printed on your device against the recalled list:
- Recalled models: UT3053, UT3056, ZLS-118, ZLS-118S, ZLS-118D, H01, and H01(PD).
- Where sold: Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Ocoopa.com and Ocoopa.net between September 2018 and May 2026.
- Price paid: roughly $15 to $60, frequently in two-packs with charging cables.
- Branding: the OCOOPA name, imported by Shenzhen Street Cat Technology Co., Ltd. (doing business as OCOOPA Direct).
What you should do
What to do right now. Stop using and stop charging any recalled OCOOPA hand warmer immediately. Do not throw it in the household trash or a standard recycling bin. Contact OCOOPA to begin a refund claim, then dispose of the device only through a municipal household hazardous-waste facility.
To claim a refund, the CPSC says owners should mark the recalled unit with the word “RECALLED” using a permanent marker, take a photo showing that marking along with the model and batch number, and submit it through the recall page at ocoopa.com/pages/product-recalls. Because these are lithium-ion batteries, they should never go in curbside trash or recycling, where a damaged cell can spark a fire in a truck or at a sorting facility. Take the marked device to a local household hazardous-waste collection center instead.
- Unplug it: stop charging the warmer and disconnect any cable now.
- Store it safely: until you can dispose of it, keep the device away from bedding, upholstery and other flammable materials, ideally on a hard, noncombustible surface.
- Watch for warning signs: swelling, a bulging case, unusual heat, hissing or a chemical smell can all signal a failing lithium-ion battery.
- Never charge unattended: as a general habit, charge battery devices where you can see them, not overnight next to where you sleep.
Context and what’s next
The OCOOPA action fits a broader pattern the CPSC has been flagging throughout 2025 and 2026: a rising tally of recalls involving lithium-ion batteries in everyday consumer goods, from power banks and immersion heaters to heated blankets and now hand warmers. Many of these products are inexpensive imports sold online, where it can be hard for shoppers to judge whether a device meets basic electrical safety standards. Regulators and fire officials have repeatedly warned that low-cost battery gadgets deserve the same caution consumers give to larger electronics.
For consumers, the practical takeaway is to treat any rechargeable warmer, power bank or battery device as something that needs safe charging habits, a watchful eye for damage, and prompt attention to recall notices. You can monitor new recalls directly at CPSC.gov and sign up for the agency’s email alerts. If you own one of the recalled OCOOPA models, do not wait for cold weather to act; a full refund is available, and the safest place for that device is out of your home.
Disclaimer: This article is for general safety information only and is not legal, medical or product-specific advice. Details such as model numbers, remedies and incident counts reflect the CPSC recall notice as published and may be updated; always confirm the latest guidance directly with the CPSC and OCOOPA before acting.
Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Recall 26-659); Fox Business; NBC 7 San Diego.
