Additional Coverage:
- Amazon issues urgent recall of hundreds of thousands of electronics over burn and fire risk (marketrealist.com)
Urgent Recall: Over 200,000 Power Banks Pose Fire and Burn Risk
NATIONAL NEWS – A significant product recall has been issued for over 200,000 power banks after numerous reports of the devices overheating and igniting, leading to minor injuries and property damage. The recall, involving INIU BI-B41 Power Banks, highlights the serious dangers associated with defective electronics, particularly those containing lithium-ion batteries.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has identified the lithium-ion batteries within these power banks as the source of the hazard, stating they “can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.”
The affected power banks, described as 100,000mAh capacity with a black or blue case featuring the INIU logo and a paw-print LED light on the front, were sold on Amazon between August 2021 and April 2022. Specifically, models with serial numbers 000G21, 000H21, 000I21, and 000L21 are included in the recall.
INIU has received at least 15 reports of the power banks overheating, with eleven of these incidents resulting in fires. These fires have caused minor burn injuries and varying degrees of property damage.
Crucial Disposal Information:
Due to the highly flammable nature of these devices, the CPSC and other safety organizations are issuing strict guidelines for their disposal. Consumers are explicitly warned against discarding these recalled lithium-ion batteries or devices in regular trash, general recycling streams (like curbside bins), or standard used battery recycling boxes.
Instead, the CPSC advises that these hazardous items require specialized disposal. Individuals should contact their municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center, as these facilities are equipped to safely handle such materials.
Customers who have purchased an INIU BI-B41 Power Bank are urged to visit the company’s recall page on their website to verify their product’s serial number and obtain further instructions. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also advises consumers to discontinue using any product if they observe unusual odors, color changes, excessive heat, shape distortion, leaking, or strange noises, as these can be indicators of a potential fire hazard.