The potential safety hazards of the hand warmers in the market easily become "grenades"

There are two main types of common hand warmers: the electrode type, which features two metal rods, and the electric wire type, which contains a large coil or tube inside. When purchasing a soft hand warmer, you can often identify its type by simply touching it.

As winter approaches, various types of hand warmers have become increasingly popular in the market. Recently, CCTV aired a special live program highlighting the dangers of electrode-type hand warmers, which have been known to cause injuries due to explosions. A reporter's investigation found that these potentially hazardous products are still being sold in Zhengzhou’s markets. With so many options available, how can consumers identify and use them safely?

Recently, Ms. He from Zhengzhou bought a hand warmer for 30 yuan at a local market, only to have it explode suddenly. She described how the device exploded while heating, filling the room with a strong, unpleasant smell. “I was terrified, but I wasn’t using it at the time.” Her experience is not an isolated case. The hand warmers she purchased had no clear brand name, origin, or manufacturer details. Unfortunately, her story is just one of many similar incidents reported across the country.

In December 2012, a junior high school student in Nanjing suffered severe burns after a hand warmer exploded on her. In January 2012, Ms. Wang experienced a similar incident when a hand warmer exploded during use, damaging her home’s electrical outlet. Fortunately, no one was injured. In November 2011, a woman in Shandong was seriously burned when a hand warmer on her leg exploded while she was watching TV.

Due to frequent reports of hand warmer explosions, the government has implemented strict regulations. Since 2009, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) has issued specific safety requirements for household electric hand warmers, including temperature rise, power failure, and sealing standards.

According to media reports, hand warmers operate by heating an internal electrolyte solution through a heating element. These elements come in two forms: electrode type and electric heating type. Electrode-type hand warmers do not meet national safety standards and are banned from production and sale due to their risk of leakage and explosion. In response, the Zhengzhou City Bureau of Industry and Commerce has begun sampling hand warmers from the market and will conduct inspections. If any product fails to meet the required standards, legal action will be taken.

“Many businesses are unsure which products are compliant,” said an official. “We are also increasing efforts to educate merchants about safe hand warmer practices.”

Last week, reporters visited several markets in Zhengzhou, including Zhongzhou Shopping Mall, Wanbo Commodity Market, and small retail stores. They found that most hand warmers on sale are similar in appearance, with differences mainly in color, pattern, and size. Most of them feature a charging port, often referred to as a “little beggar” due to its small and unattractive design.

At Fuzhou Street, a shop owner stated that all the hand warmers they sell are essentially the same and do not require detailed instructions. “Just choose the one you like—whether it’s big or small.” Prices range from 10 to 50 yuan. Upon randomly purchasing one, the reporter cut it open and found two metal probes inside, with no test report or manufacturer information on the packaging.

Online platforms such as Jingdong, Taobao, and Dangdang still list electrode-type hand warmers for sale. However, some product descriptions include warnings: “This product poses serious safety risks.”

Mr. Wei, a representative of several hand warmer brands in Zhengzhou, explained that products from small factories lack test reports. Regular hand warmers, he said, cost about 10 yuan more than cheaper alternatives. “The packaging looks good, and the outer layer can be removed and washed.”

He added that current temperature control technology has improved significantly. “Previously, the temperature was set to 90°C, which was too high. Now, most models operate between 70-80°C. As long as the temperature settings are correct, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Mr. Wei also noted that almost all hand warmers on the market are of the electrode type, filled with a conductive solution. When powered on, the metal probes heat the liquid inside.

According to Guo Guofu, a technician from a Guangzhou hand warmer factory, electrode-type hand warmers contain two positive and negative electrodes. When activated, the liquid becomes charged and begins to heat. However, since the current fluctuates, it is difficult to regulate the heat output. If the temperature rises too quickly, the liquid may boil, causing pressure buildup and eventually leading to an explosion.

Guo explained that electric wire-type hand warmers work by passing electricity through a heating coil, which then heats the liquid inside the bag. Even if the bag breaks, the liquid that leaks out is not charged, making it safer than electrode-type models.

1. When buying an electric hand warmer, check the packaging and instructions. Some clearly state whether it is an electrode or electric wire type, while others do not. Avoid purchasing products without clear manufacturing details or manuals.

2. If you're holding a soft hand warmer, feel the heating element. If you detect two metal rods, it is likely an electrode-type model.

3. If you feel a large plastic coil or a U-shaped or arc-shaped tube, it is an electric wire-type hand warmer.

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