A major product safety recall has been issued for more than 200,000 portable power banks sold via Amazon, due to a significant risk of the devices overheating and catching fire.
Specific Models and Serious Hazards Identified
The recall, announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), specifically affects approximately 210,000 INIU 10,000mAh portable power banks, model BI-b41. These devices were available for purchase on Amazon between August 2021 and April 2022, retailing for around $18 (£14). The lithium-ion battery inside the units can overheat and ignite, posing direct fire and burn hazards to consumers.
The impacted power banks feature a black or blue case adorned with the INIU logo and have a distinctive paw-print shaped LED light on the front. The recall is limited to units bearing one of four specific serial numbers: 000G21, 000H21, 000I21, and 000L21.
Multiple Incidents and Substantial Damage Reported
This urgent action follows numerous concerning reports. The company has logged at least 15 incidents where the power banks overheated. Alarmingly, 11 of these involved actual fires.
The consequences have been severe in some cases. These incidents have resulted in three reports of minor burn injuries to consumers. Furthermore, the fires have caused considerable property damage, with the total cost estimated to exceed $380,000.
Immediate Actions for Consumers
Authorities and the manufacturer are urging anyone who owns one of these devices to take immediate steps.
Consumers must stop using the recalled power banks at once. They should then visit the official INIU recall website to verify their product's serial number and initiate the process for a full refund.
It is critically important not to dispose of these lithium-ion batteries with regular household waste. Due to their high fire risk, they require special handling. The CPSC advises impacted customers to contact their local municipal household hazardous waste collection centre for instructions on safe and proper disposal of the recalled devices.
