Instructions

• : Wear gloves when adding chemicals, as they may cause serious burns.
• Step 1: Cut fabric Cut a piece of flannel fabric 8 1/2 inches by 4 1/2 inches, and fold it in half with the short sides of the fabric together.
• Step 2: Sew the sides Sew the 2 opposite open sides together with a needle and thread to form a pouch, and turn the pouch inside-out.
• Step 3: Fill pouch Fill the pouch 3/4 full with uncooked rice before folding in the open edges 1/4 inch and using an overstitch to sew the top closed.
• TIP: Use brown rice rather than white rice to better hold heat.
• Step 4: Heat in microwave Heat hand warmers in a microwave oven for 10 seconds before placing them inside your gloves to keep hands warm for up to 120 minutes.
• TIP: Avoid overheating hand warmers to prevent burns.
• Step 5: Make an alternative Make a wool or felt pouch you fill with ceramic pie weights instead of rice as an alternative method, and increase microwave time to 2 minutes.
• Step 6: Make a chemical hand warmer Make a chemical hand warmer by placing a sealable plastic bag inside a second one, and adding 1/2 ounce powdered calcium oxide to the inner bag along with 2 teaspoons water.
• Step 7: Seal bags Seal both bags before massaging the contents until you feel warmth, but be prepared to drop the bags in a bucket of cold water if they become too hot. Now, tuck the warmer into gloves and make for the outdoors knowing you've beaten Old Man Winter at his own game.
• FACT: Frostbite accounted for 10 percent of all American casualties during World War II and the Korean conflict.

You Will Need

• Rubber or latex gloves
• Flannel
• wool
• or felt fabric
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Rice
• Ceramic pie weights
• Sealable plastic bags
• Calcium oxide
• Bucket
• Water