Operating instructions / Heating
1. Remove the warmer from the bag and knead it to activate the heating process thanks to the oxygen and humidity in the air.
2. Wait 10 minutes, as the warmer must be thoroughly warmed up before putting it in your shoe.
3. Ideally, activate it in an ambient environment of 20°C (at home, in the car, etc.).
4. At 0°C or above 2000m altitude, blow on it several times. The warmth and humidity of your breath will accelerate the start-up of the reaction.
BURN HAZARD WARNING (1/2)
There are 4 no-no's:
1. NEVER STICK THE HEATER DIRECTLY TO THE SKIN
2. DO NOT KEEP FOOT WARMERS IN THE CAR WITH THE HEATER ON, OR EVEN AT HOME IN FRONT OF AN OPEN FIRE. The foot warmer provides extra warmth. The warmer it is, the hotter it gets ... possibly causing superficial burns.
BURN HAZARD WARNING (2/2)
3. INTENSIVE SPORTS PRACTICE IS TO BE RADICALLY EXCLUDED (such as cross-country skiing, figure skating, ... ... because sweating will "wet" the mixture too much and the reaction will get out of control.
ATTENTION: children sweat 2 to 3x more than adults on their feet and hands for the same amount of sports practice.
4. DO NOT STICK IT ON THE INSIDE OF THE FOOT, as the laces press on this area, and friction will accelerate the reaction. STICK THE HEATER ON THE TOE AREA ONLY.
OPERATING PRINCIPLE
A heater is a mixture of activated charcoal powder and iron, which produces heat by oxidizing the iron.
The reaction stops:
_ When there is no more activated charcoal. The reaction is definitive after about 5 to 6 hours.
_ In an airtight environment (in a rubber boot or with neoprene bicycle overshoes).
If air is added to the heater, the reaction starts again.
GOOD TO KNOW
The exothermic reaction starts on the production lines:
_ The mixture is activated and then checked at 100%
_ Once the check has been carried out and validated, the pair of foot warmers is inserted into the plastic bag, stopping the reaction and therefore heat production. When the sachet is opened, the reaction is resumed with the oxygen and humidity in the air.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY HEATER STOPS HEATING AFTER 1 HOUR? OR IF IT DOESN'T HEAT UP ENOUGH?
This means that the reaction has been stifled by a lack of air. You'll need to take the warmer out, give it some air, knead or blow on it to restart the heating process. You can then put it back in your shoe.
BORDERLINE CASES
The heater doesn't work:
_ If there isn't enough air around the heater: enclosed in a neoprene overshoe, for example, or in a rubber boot.
_ If conditions are extreme: in very cold weather, the heater provides heat in addition to the operating T°, but unfortunately if the T° is really too low, it struggles to heat up.
_ If altitude exceeds 3000m, the lack of oxygen limits the reaction.
Precautions
Never stick the warmer directly onto the skin.
Cautious and supervised use for children, the elderly or disabled.
Consult a doctor before use in cases of diabetes, fragile or sensitive skin, circulatory problems, paralysis or nerve damage, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, in pregnant women or in case of doubt.
For external use only. Do not use on frostbite or desensitized skin. Do not use while sleeping.
Single-use product.
The exothermic reaction consumes the activated carbon and oxidizes the iron. Once the fuel has been consumed, the reaction is complete and the powder becomes hard.
Restrictions
PIEDS heaters are intended exclusively for use on the feet and must not be used on other parts of the body.
