Risks of Disposable Hand Warmers

Biting winds and bone-chilling temperatures encourage those weathering the winter to find effective ways to warm their hands. With the invention of disposable hand warmers, people have an easier time keeping their hands toasty. But the small hand heaters, especially the liquid fuel hand warmers that retain heat for 12 hours, pose a threat to those who use them to keep their hands warm.

Overview of Hand Warmers

• Hand warmers, also known as warming pads, are small packets that emanate heat when activated. The warmers are usually inserted into gloves or held in the palm of the user's hand. The heat that the hand warmers produce is powered by many different sources, such as lighter fluid, batteries and charcoal, while others are activated when exposed to air. Depending on the pad's heat source, hand warmers generate heat for up to 12 hours. Despite the benefits provided by the tiny hand heaters, the warming pads pose a threat to users' health.

Inhalation Risks

• Out of the different types of hand warmers, those fueled by lighter fluid release carbon monoxide, posing a potential fatal threat if the pads are activated in a closed space. To eliminate the possibility of inhaling a lethal dose of carbon monoxide, users must only use the hand warmers outside.

Burn Risks

• Although heating pads are meant to keep hands warm, the tiny pads occasionally do their job too well. Studies show that hand warmers can overheat, reaching up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. If the hot pads touch bare skin, users run the risk of being burned. For this reason, users should avoid touching the hand warmers with bare skin.

Ingestion Risks

• If a user ingests the heating pad, the person risks burning their throat. To avoid burns, the contents of the pad must never be eaten.