Hands are among the most common areas that are exposed to cold during chilly weather. Unlike other body parts, they tend to take longer to warm up after exposure to a cold environment. This is where rechargeable hand warmers come in. But are they safe?
Hand warmers are being adopted fast because they have adjustable settings and can be recharged and reused when the battery depletes. But before you consider these benefits, it is important to ensure your safety and that of your family by ensuring that these warmers are safe.
What are hand warmers?
They are small packets used to keep hands warm in cold conditions. You can use them during outdoor activities such as camping or place them inside your socks or sleeping bag to keep warm.
There are different types of hand warmers, such as the chemical hand warmer, lighter-fueled hand warmers, and battery-operated hand warmers. The chemical and lighter-fueled hand warmers are used only once while the rechargeable hand warmers can be reused.
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Are electric hand warmers safe?
Electric hand warmers are safe when used properly. They may be uncomfortable for first-time users because their skin has not yet adjusted to the temperature.
Children, however, are known to have sensitive skin. Their skin should, therefore, not make direct contact with the hand warmers.
You should also make sure that you are not using hand warmers while they are charging to avoid injury.
Note that there are other types of hand warmer such as the catalytic burner warmer, that pose to be dangerous. To prevent any dangers or mishaps, ensure that there is enough fuel in the pocket and there is no excess fuel leakage before lighting it up.
These hand warmers are also prone to carbon monoxide leakage if not sealed properly. To avoid this, you can use an insulated sleeve when holding warmers that use catalytic burners.
Can rechargeable hand warmers explode?
In normal situations, rechargeable hand warmers do not explode. They can, however, explode if they are close to resistors and flammable materials or when they get short-circuited.
A faulty battery can also cause lithium hand warmers to explode. You should, therefore, invest in quality hand warmers that come with a good-conditioned battery.
Can a hand warmer start a fire?
No, hand warmers cannot start a fire when properly used. However, there are cases where using liquid fuel hand warmers may start a fire. It may occur due to liquid fuel leakage because of pouring too much fuel than what is required or using the wrong fuel.
You should also keep it away from flammable materials such as clothes and quilts. Lithium batteries are prone to spontaneous combustion.
You should also properly dispose of the hand warmers because it contains iron powder, vermiculite, salt, and activated charcoal. When exposed to fire, they produce intoxicating fumes that may affect your lungs and gastrointestinal system.
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Are hand warmers harmful?
No, they are not. As long as you do not ingest the contents, then you are just fine.
Hand warmers contain an iron powder that, when consumed, can be harmful to your health. It may lead to stomach bleeding, diarrhea and vomiting.
While hand warmers from the best brands are generally safe, make sure they are not directly contacting your skin to prevent burns.
Are lithium hand warmers safe?
Although they are mostly safe, lithium hand warmers can prove to be dangerous when improperly used. When there is a defect in the protection case and the battery, it is likely to start a fire.
It may also occur when there are abnormal temperatures, or there is a short circuit overcharge.
To ensure that you are purchasing a safe product for yourself or your loved ones, follow the following tips:
- Ensure that the hand warmer has a product manual, certificate, warranty card, and necessary accessories.
- When purchasing a hand warmer, check its production date which should be within a year. If it is more than a year, the battery capacity is reduced and therefore affects the product in general.
- Purchase hand warmers from big or renowned brands such as Ocoopa, Zippo, and Hot Hands hand warmers.
- Do not use hand warmers for a long time to prevent burns on your skin. You should also not use it in the same area repeatedly as it may burn your skin.
Rechargeable hand warmers are safe and ideal for use during cold weather. However, you have to ensure that you follow the recommended safety instructions to avoid injuries.