Gobi Heat Hand Warmer Recall and Rechargeable Battery Safety

Rechargeable hand warmers have become a popular alternative to disposable heat packs: charge them over USB, slip them into a pocket and reuse them all winter. But each one contains a lithium-ion battery, and in October 2026 two brands of rechargeable warmers were recalled on the same day for the same reason: the batteries and electronics can overheat and catch fire. This guide explains the Gobi Heat recall, the related HotHands recall, and how to charge, store and dispose of any lithium-ion gadget more safely. For the announcement itself, see our news story on the Gobi Heat UT3053 recall.

What the Gobi Heat recall covers

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) notice dated October 1, 2026 (recall number 27-009):

• Product: Gobi Heat rechargeable hand warmers, model UT3053.
• Hazard: the battery and electrical components can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards.
• Units: about 5,500 in the US and about 47 in Canada. No incidents had been reported.
• Sold: only on GobiHeat.com, from October 2024 through August 2026, for $20 to $40.
• Remedy: a full refund, or store credit equal to the purchase price plus 20%.

How to identify them. The recalled warmers are black with gray, sold as a pair that snaps together magnetically, with a charging cable, a USB-C port, LED indicator lights on a hard plastic shell and a silicone lanyard. "Gobi Heat" is printed on the top and on the box, and UT3053 is printed on the underside.

How to get your refund or credit

1. Stop using and charging the warmers. Unplug them if they are charging.
2. Get a claim number at gobiheat.com/pages/handwarmer-recall, or click "Recall Information" at the top of gobiheat.com.
3. Write "Recalled" on each warmer with a permanent marker.
4. Email a photo showing the marking and the model number to recall@gobiheat.com.
5. Choose your remedy: a full refund or store credit worth 120% of what you paid.
6. Dispose of the warmers as hazardous waste, as described below.

Gobi Heat's recall line is 888-462-4743, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

The HotHands recall on the same day

The CPSC also announced that Kobayashi recalled about 77,000 HotHands-branded rechargeable hand warmers, model H163650 (white with orange), for the same overheating hazard, with a full refund. They were sold at Bass Pro Shops, Meijer, Target, The Home Depot and on Amazon from July 2025 through August 2026 for $30 to $40. Owners should start at hothands.com/recall-notice-rechargeable or call 866-534-9986. The CPSC says only electric rechargeable HotHands warmers with the white logo are covered, not the familiar disposable air-activated packs.

Why lithium-ion batteries need care

Lithium-ion batteries store a lot of energy in a small space, which is what makes rechargeable warmers practical. When a cell is damaged, defective or overheated, that energy can be released as heat, smoke or fire. A hand warmer is a particularly demanding place for a battery: it is designed to get warm, it is carried in pockets and gloves, and it may be dropped on hard ground in the cold.

The recalls do not mean every rechargeable warmer is dangerous. They are a reason to treat these devices like any other lithium-ion gadget, with sensible charging and storage habits.

Charging habits that reduce risk

• Use the cable that came with the device, or a reputable replacement suitable for it.
• Charge on a hard, non-flammable surface, such as a countertop, never on a bed, sofa or pillow.
• Do not charge overnight or while you are away from home.
• Unplug when fully charged.
• Let the warmer cool before charging it after use.
• Stop using any device that swells, smells, smokes, leaks or gets unusually hot. Move it away from anything flammable if it is safe to do so, and do not charge it again.

Using and storing warmers

• Do not use a damaged warmer. Cracks, dents or a loose case are a reason to stop using it.
• Avoid crushing or puncturing it. Keep it out of back pockets and away from heavy objects in bags.
• Follow the instructions about skin contact, and do not use warmers while sleeping.
• Store warmers at room temperature in the off-season, away from direct heat and flammable materials.
• Check for recalls before winter by searching the brand and model at cpsc.gov/recalls.

How to dispose of lithium-ion batteries

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says lithium-ion batteries and devices that contain them should not go in household garbage or recycling bins. The agency explains that a battery thrown in the trash or put in a municipal recycling bin may be damaged or crushed in transport or by sorting equipment, creating a fire hazard. Instead:

• Take them to a household hazardous waste collection site or a battery recycler that accepts lithium-ion batteries. Call ahead to confirm the site takes them, especially for recalled products.
• Tape the terminals or place each battery or device in its own plastic bag, to prevent short circuits.
• Use locator tools such as Earth911 or Call2Recycle to find drop-off locations near you.
• If a battery is damaged, contact the battery or device maker for specific handling information. The EPA notes that even used batteries can hold enough energy to injure or start fires.

For recalled products, follow the company's disposal instructions first. Gobi Heat's recall says not to put the warmers in household trash, curbside recycling or store battery drop-off boxes, and to contact your local household hazardous waste center.

A quick off-season routine

Rechargeable warmers spend most of the year in a drawer, which is when problems are easiest to miss. At the end of winter, and again before you use them next season, run through a short routine:

1. Look the warmer over for cracks, swelling or a loose port.
2. Check the cable for fraying or bent connectors.
3. Search the model number at cpsc.gov/recalls.
4. Charge it once while you are home and awake, on a hard surface, and make sure it does not get unusually hot.
5. Recycle anything damaged at a household hazardous waste site rather than storing it.

Choosing a replacement

If you want another rechargeable warmer, look for:

• Certification by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the product or its battery.
• Clear charging instructions and a specified charger or cable.
• Overheat protection and temperature settings.
• A company you can contact, with a working website and customer service, so you hear about any recall.

If you prefer to avoid batteries altogether, disposable air-activated warmers are an option, though they create waste and cannot be recharged.

Common questions

Should I take the refund or the store credit? The 120% store credit is worth more on paper, but it only makes sense if you want to buy from the same company again. A refund leaves you free to shop elsewhere.

Can I keep using my warmer until the refund arrives? No. The CPSC says to stop using the recalled warmers immediately.

My warmer is a different Gobi Heat model. Only model UT3053 is covered by this recall. Check the underside of your warmer.

Other winter recalls

October 2026 also brought a recall of DREO space heaters. Our space heater safety checklist explains how to check yours. Another fire-hazard recall covers 3M's Scotch thermal laminators; see our Scotch TL1302Z laminator recall guide. More about the company is on the Gobi Heat brand page.

Editorial disclosure

This safety guide contains no affiliate links. SurfGirl never earns commission on recalled products. Facts are from CPSC and EPA pages as of October 30, 2026.

References

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Gobi Heat Recalls Rechargeable Hand Warmers Due to Risk of Serious Injury from Fire and Burn Hazards. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2027/Gobi-Heat-Recalls-Rechargeable-Hand-Warmers-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-from-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards
2. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Kobayashi Recalls Rechargeable Hand Warmers Due to Risk of Serious Injury from Fire and Burn Hazards. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2027/Kobayashi-Recalls-Rechargeable-Hand-Warmers-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-from-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Used Lithium-Ion Batteries. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://www.epa.gov/recycle/used-lithium-ion-batteries