More than 1.1 million power banks are being recalled by Anker Innovations Technology Co. due to fire concerns with the lithium-ion batteries used in the devices.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a recall notice for 1.158 million of the A1263 variants of the publicly traded Chinese company’s Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks.
“Can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers,” the recall notice says of the power bank batteries.
The impacted units were made in China, and the front of the power banks bears the name of the company, Anker. Between June 2016 and December 2022, they were offered for sale in the US on Anker, Amazon, Newegg, and Ebay.
The devices, which cost around $27 at retail, have been linked to 19 cases of fires and explosions so far, according to the business.
Eleven cases involving property damage and two reports of minor burns totaling $60,700 are included in the incidents.
“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Anker Innovations for instructions on receiving a free replacement power bank,” the recall notification from Anker stated.
By uploading a picture of their recalled device to the firm, customers can receive a replacement.
Among other things, the picture must show the model, serial number, and the date it was taken. Additionally, owners must attest that they have disposed of the defective equipment appropriately.
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“Do not throw this recalled lithium-ion battery or device in the trash, in the general recycling stream,, or in used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores. Recalled lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of differently than other batteries, because they present a greater risk of fire,” the company stated in the recall notice.
“Your municipal household hazardous waste collection center may accept this recalled lithium-ion battery or device for disposal. Before taking your battery or device to a HHW collection center, contact it ahead of time and ask whether it accepts recalled lithium-ion batteries. If it does not, contact your municipality for further guidance.”
Anker was established in September 2011 and has its main office in Changsha, which is located in the Hunan province of China.
