Walmart, Amazon Recall Ocoopa Hand Warmers After Death, Hundreds of Injuries Linked to Battery Fires

A significant recall has been issued for Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmers, a popular winter product sold by major retailers including Walmart and Amazon. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has partnered with Shenzhen Street Cat Technology, the manufacturer, to address serious safety concerns stemming from the devices' lithium-ion batteries. These rechargeable hand warmers are designed to convert stored electrical energy into heat, offering warmth to users during colder periods. However, a critical defect has emerged: the lithium-ion batteries within these units can overheat, leading to ignition and posing a substantial risk of fire and severe burn injuries, including a reported fatality.

This recall impacts approximately 1.5 million units that were manufactured in China and distributed through Walmart, Amazon, and directly via the Ocoopa website. The severity of the issue is underscored by the substantial number of incident reports received by the company. As of the recall announcement on July 30, Ocoopa had documented 1,470 reports of problems, with 15 of these involving fires and an additional 350 resulting in burn injuries. The most tragic consequence of this overheating defect was the death of an 83-year-old individual in San José, California.

Months before the official recall, on May 18, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Santa Clara County, California, by Felicia Tan against Amazon.com and OCOOPA Innovations LLC. Tan's lawsuit alleges that her mother died on February 16, 2026, after the hand warmers ignited while she was using them in bed, causing severe thermal injuries. The complaint explicitly states, "The handwarmers ignited and caught fire, causing severe thermal injuries to decedent, ultimately leading to her death on February 16, 2026."

The recall specifically targets several models, including UT3053, UT3056, ZLS-118, ZLS-118S, ZLS-118D, H01, and H01(PD). These models were sold to consumers between September 2018 and May 2026. Consumers can identify the specific model number by checking the back of their Ocoopa Rechargeable Hand Warmer. The CPSC and Ocoopa are urging all consumers who own these affected models to immediately stop using the devices to prevent further incidents. Those who purchased the recalled products within the specified timeframe are eligible to request a full refund directly from Ocoopa.