Overheating batteries continue to plague both manufacturers and the consumers who purchase wireless technologies. Defective batteries that power laptops, smartphones, hoverboards, and most recently XBOX ONE video game controllers, have led to millions of products deemed unsafe by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. After learning of 24 alleged incidents of their batteries “overheating and deforming the charger’s plastic cover,” Performance Designed Products LLC (PDP) has recalled more than 130,000 of their Energizer branded chargers. At the time of the recall no injuries had been reported.
PDP, one of the largest video game accessory companies in North America, also reported at least six incidents of the “chargers emitting a burning odor.” Authorities are concerned that the chargers could potentially lead to a burn and/or fire hazard. The $40 Energizer “XBOX ONE 2X Smart Chargers,” made in China, were sold from February 2016 to February 2017. The Energizer logo is printed on the label of the units, which can charge two XBOX controllers simultaneously. The item number (048-052-NA) can be found on the bottom of the chargers.
Wireless Headphones Explode During International Flight
Many wireless headphones are powered by the same lithium-ion batteries that led to the unprecedented 2016 Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall. And just last month an owner of an unspecified brand of noise-canceling wireless headphones alleged that they blew up while she was sleeping, causing burns to her hands and face. Witnesses on the flight from Beijing to Melbourne told Australian authorities that the victim threw the headphones on the ground after sustaining the burns and flight attendants rushed put out the fire. But they were not able to respond before the lithium-ion battery melted to the floor.
Owners of a recalled PDP charger are being told to stop using them immediately. Consumers who own a similar PDP charger that has not been recalled are also being cautioned to only use the product if they are in the same room because of the potential fire hazard. PDP, located in Burbank California, is offering their customers a full refund.
To contact PDP call: (800) 263-1156
To read more about the recall visit: http://pdp.com/en/safety-recall/