132,000 Portable Chargers Sold at Amazon Recalled After Fires, Burn Injuries

The logo of online store Amazon is displayed on a tablet, in this file photo. (Denis Charlet/AFP via Getty Images)

Around 132,000 magnetic wireless charging power banks have been recalled after reports that they can overheat while charging, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said on Thursday.

According to a notice posted on the CPSC’s website, the lithium-ion batteries in the Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charging Power Banks can overheat and become a fire hazard.

The recalled items have model numbers “PPCXM06” or “PPCXW06” displayed on the magnetic side of the devices, and “20W” on the non-magnetic side.

“Both models have a magnetic side that attaches to mobile phones with magnetic charging functionality,” the notice reads.

The electronics came in white, black, light blue, and light pink and were sold online via Amazon, AliExpress, and Baseus from April 2022 through April 2024 for between $18 and $55.

In addition, the CPSC noted that the power banks were also listed on Amazon under model number “PPXCW06,” but pointed out that the recall only involves devices with the two model numbers mentioned above.

The CPSC said there have been 171 reports involving the portable power banks overheating. This includes 132 reports of batteries “bulging or swelling” and 39 fire complaints, which caused 13 burn injuries and about $20,000 in reported property damage.

The recalled units were manufactured in China and imported by Shenzhen Baseus Technology Co., according to the CPSC.

Consumers who purchased the recalled portable chargers are advised to immediately stop using them and contact Baseus for a full refund with proof of purchase, or to receive $36 in cash without proof of purchase, the CPSC said, noting Baseus and Amazon are notifying known purchasers directly.

To show proof of purchase, consumers will need to submit a photo of the recalled power bank showing the model number to Baseus’ recall registration page.

For owners without an order number, a photo of the recalled device will need to be submitted along with their name and the date written in permanent marker.

Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charging Power Banks are being recalled after dozens of reports of the batteries inside overheating while charging. (Courtesy of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Meanwhile, the CPSC has urged people in a note to not throw the recalled battery in the trash, asking owners to instead follow the procedures established by their local recycling center for damaged, defective, or recalled lithium batteries.

“These potentially hazardous batteries must be handled differently than other batteries,” the note reads. “Do not throw this recalled battery in the trash. Do not deposit this recalled battery in used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores.”

People with concerns or questions can contact Baseus toll-free at [phone] from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, the company said.

Previous Recall of Portable Chargers

The recall comes just days after Michigan-based myCharge recalled nearly 570,000 units of its HUB All-In-One 10,000mAh portable chargers on June 20 after 120 reports involving the items overheating, posing fire risks.

According to a notice posted on the CPSC’s website, these reports included five incidents, two of which were residential fires, that caused about $165,000 in reported property damage.

The recalled items, manufactured in China, were sold exclusively at Costco stores nationwide and online from January 2022 through November 2023 for about $40.

No injuries have been reported in connection with the recalled myCharge product.

Anyone who owns a recalled power bank is advised to immediately stop using it and contact myCharge for a free replacement.

From NTD News