Portable chargers can truly be lifesavers, powering up your phone, laptop, or smartwatch when you're on the go and can't plug into an outlet. If you use one of these handy gadgets, there's a good chance you quickly clicked and ordered yours from Amazon. If so, you might want to double-check the brand and model, as the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just recalled nearly 500,000 power banks due to reports of fires and burns.
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488,000 Charmast power banks are recalled due to fire and burn hazards.
A quick search on Amazon shows that the brand Charmast sells multiple different portable chargers. However, the Charmast power bank model W1056, sold exclusively through Amazon, has now been recalled.
They were sold online from December 2018 through September 2024 for between $14 and $25 and came black, blue, green, mint, pink and white.
"The lithium-ion battery in the recalled power banks can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers," states the recall notice.
"Charmast has received 44 reports of the recalled power banks expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking, including four reports of consumers receiving burns or blisters," the CPSC adds.
What to do if you have an affected power bank.
To check if you have an affected power bank, look for the brand "Charmast" printed on the front and "Model: W1056" printed on the back. If you're in possession of the recalled device, stop using it immediately.
The recall states that you'll need to follow these instructions to receive a refund: "Consumers will be required to provide photographs of their model W1056 power bank, their names and dates of the photograph written in indelible (permanent) marker above the label, and the severed power cord."
Once you've done that, do not throw the power bank in the trash or deposit it in a battery recycling box, as it contains a lithium-ion battery. "[Follow] the procedures established by your municipal recycling center for damaged/defective/recalled lithium batteries, because these potentially hazardous batteries must be handled differently than other batteries," advises the notice.
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Another portable charger was recalled earlier this month.
CPSC
On Dec. 5, the company Belkin recalled more than 4,000 wireless battery chargers for smartwatches over similar concerns about the lithium-ion batteries overheating and posing a fire risk.
"The firm has received one report of the recalled power bank catching fire, resulting in a house fire involving property damage," states the recall.
The chargers in question are the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger portable 10K power banks with model number BPD005. They were sold in black through Amazon, Belkin, and other online retailers from May 2023 through June 2024 for about $100.
There have been other lithium-ion battery-related recalls in recent weeks.
In recent weeks, the CPSC has recalled other products due to lithium-ion battery issues.
On Dec. 12, 34,600 HTRC C240 battery chargers sold for charging lithium-ion batteries were recalled after the company "received 32 reports of fire and other thermal incidents, including five reports of significant property damage and one report of injury." These chargers were sold on Amazon, AliExpress, eBay, and other online retailers.
Also on Dec. 12, more than 250,000 (plus an additional 19,000 in Canada) Yoto mini speakers for children were recalled due to a risk of the speaker’s lithium-ion battery overheating and catching fire.
And just today, about 63,000 Chervon lithium-ion batteries used for lawnmowers and outdoor tools were recalled. "The firm has received 100 reports of thermal incidents involving the batteries including overheating, melting, smoking and fire. These included eight reports of minor burns and/or smoke inhalation and 49 reports of related property damage," states the CPSC notice.
In the case of any of these recalls, you can refer to the individual CPSC notice for more details and instructions for receiving a refund.
