27 Dec Amazon recalls power banks due to fire hazard

About half a million power bank chargers sold only on Amazon over the past six years have been recalled due to safety concerns.

Customers reported issues like the chargers swelling, catching fire, melting, overheating, or smoking while they were being used.

These chargers, made by a brand called Charmast, were sold between December 2018 and September 2024 for prices ranging from USD$14 to $25.

The UConsumer Product Safety Commission noted that Charmast received 44 reports of problems with these power banks, including four incidents where customers suffered burns or blisters from using the faulty devices.

The company advises returning the product to local recycling centres that handle damaged or defective lithium batteries.

Do not throw them in your regular waste or recycling bins, as they can pose a safety risk.