U.S. authorities have announced the recall of more than 210,000 portable chargers (power banks) from the market after nearly a dozen devices caught fire, in an effort to prevent any risks to consumer safety.
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The recalled units are INIU BI-B41 power banks with a capacity of 10,000 mAh, available in black and blue. They feature the INIU logo and a paw-shaped LED light on the front.
These devices were sold on Amazon between August 2021 and April 2022 for approximately USD 18 each.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned that the batteries may overheat excessively, potentially causing fires and burn injuries.
INIU reported receiving 15 complaints of overheating, including 11 fire incidents that resulted in three minor injuries and an estimated USD 400,000 in property damage.
Consumers can identify the recalled devices by the model number and serial numbers printed on the bottom of the unit. The recall covers the following serial numbers: 000G21, 000H21, 000I21, and 000L21.
The commission urges consumers to stop using the affected products immediately and follow the company’s instructions for returning or replacing them.
INIU confirmed that all of its other power bank models are unaffected and safe for normal use, noting that the recall is a precautionary safety measure.
Consumers are advised to store the charger in a cool, dry place until they confirm whether their device is included in the recall. The company also emphasized that lithium-ion batteries require special handling and should not be disposed of in regular household waste.
In June, Anker recalled more than one million portable charging batteries, including the PowerCore 10000 model, after receiving 19 reports of fires and explosions, two minor burn injuries, and 11 property-damage incidents totaling over USD 60,700. These batteries were sold between June 2016 and December 2022 at prices starting from USD 25.99.
Anker warned that a defect in the lithium-ion batteries could cause overheating, melting of plastic components, smoke emission, and fires.
Source: Daily Mail
