Why this Chinese company is recalling 27,500 portable power banks sold on Amazon in US
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Chinese device maker iWalk is recalling nearly 27,500 portable power banks because they pose a fire hazard due to potential overheating and ignition. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall after the company had received 15 reports of the lithium-ion battery in the iWalk Magnetic Wireless Power Banks catching fire. These incidents have resulted in 10 reported burn injuries. The CPSC stated that the chargers, which magnetically attach to smartphones and power other devices, contain lithium-ion batteries that can ignite, posing a risk of injury or even death to consumers. The recalled power banks were sold on Amazon.com, iWalkMall.com, and other e-commerce websites from July 2021 through March 2024, with prices ranging from $20 to $57.
What are the models that have been affected by the recall
The specific models affected are the PowerGrip Slim (model number MXB008) and the PowerGrip Mag (model numbers DBL6000M/DBL6000P). Available in various colours, these pocket-sized power banks feature a circular LED display indicating remaining battery life. Each unit has 'iWALK' printed on the front, with the model and serial numbers on the back. Models DBL6000M and DBL6000P include a circular phone holder ring above the LED display. The recalled units include:
Model Number
Recalled Serial Numbers
MXB008
GK2309880, GK2309899, GK2310154, GK2310155, GK2310157, GK2310160, GK2310346, GK2311108, GK2311109, GK2311110, GK2311315, GK2311396
DBL6000M / DBL6000P
GK2309901, GK2309902, GK2309903, GK2310005, GK2310006, GK2310163, GK2310165, GK2311388, GK2312035, GK2312036, GK2312282, GK2312461, GK2312462, GK2312737, GK2312770, GK2401164, GK2401564, GK2403407, GK23081458, GK23081460, GK23081462
How to get a refund and safely dispose of a recalled powerbank
Consumers who possess a recalled iWalk power bank should cease using it immediately and reach out to U2O Global to obtain a full refund. To initiate the refund process, the consumer must photograph the device, ensuring the model and serial numbers are visible and 'Recalled' is written on the unit in permanent marker, and email the photograph to service@iwalk.net. For disposal, the consumer must not discard the lithium-ion battery in regular trash or standard recycling. Instead, the consumer should adhere to local hazardous-waste guidelines by contacting the municipal public works department or a designated collection centre for proper handling.
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