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With so many portable electronics in our lives, it seems like everyone has a couple power banks around for charging them on the go. One popular brand of portable chargers just issued a recall because of a fire risk, however. Here’s what we know, and how to tell if your power bank has been recalled.
The lithium-ion battery in the power banks can overheat, posing a fire and burn risk, according to the recall alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. That is a relatively common problem with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and it’s why the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration bans uninstalled lithium-ion batteries, like portable chargers, in checked baggage on commercial flights, for example.
So far, the manufacturer of the recalled power banks has received 19 reports of fires or explosions. That’s resulted in two reports of minor burns as well as 11 reports of property damage totaling over $60,000.
The recalled products are Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks. Only one model number is affected: A1263. They were sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 for around $27. In total, about 1,158,000 of the affected Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks were sold.
According to the USCPSC, the recalled Anker power banks were sold online at Amazon, Anker, Newegg, and eBay. Additionally, they were sold by Costco, according to a recall notice posted by the company on the Costco recalls website.
The recalled Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks are small rectangular devices that come in a number of colors and have “Anker” engraved on the front. On the bottom of the device, it will say “PowerCore 10000” along with the model number, “A1263”. If that all matches your product, enter the product’s serial number into Anker’s recall website to determine if it’s part of the recall.
The USCPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled Anker power banks. You can apply to receive a similar replacement power bank or a $30 Anker gift card from the manufacturer if you have a recalled one. To do that, submit your proof of purchase and photos of the recalled product through the online Anker recall form.
Both Anker and the USCPSC urge you to properly dispose of your recalled power bank. Due to the increased fire risk of lithium-ion batteries, you cannot throw it in the trash, the general recycling stream, or in used battery recycling boxes. You must take it to your local municipal household hazardous waste disposal center, or call your municipality for guidance.