Safety Alert: Manufacturer recalls over 1.15m power banks for fire, burn hazards

*Anker Innovations announces a major recall of over 1.15 million PowerCore 10000 portable power banks due to fire and burn risks to consumers

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Anker Innovations has announced a major recall of over 1.15 million PowerCore 10000 portable power banks due to fire and burn risks.

ConsumerConnect gathered the company instituted the recall as it linked the defect to overheating lithium-ion batteries.

The recall affects model A1263 only, which was sold in the United States (US) from June 2016 through December 2022, after Anker received 19 reports of the devices overheating, catching fire, or exploding, agency report said.

Anker Innovations Limited, China, produced the portable power banks.

Among the incidents, two consumers suffered minor burns, and 11 reports involved property damage totalling over $60,700 in the American country.

As regards fire risk from Lithium-Ion battery, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said the defect involves the internal lithium-ion battery, which can overheat and ignite unexpectedly, posing serious fire and burn hazards to consumers.

How to identify affected products

The recall applies specifically to: Anker PowerCore 10000, Model Number A1263, and brand marking: “Anker” engraved on the front

Model and Serial Numbers: Printed on the bottom of the device

The affected products were sold on Anker.com, Amazon, Newegg and eBay respectively, according to report.

It also noted that consumers can verify if their device is part of the recall by checking the serial number at Anker’s official recall page.

On what consumers should do in addressing the problem, anyone with a recalled unit is advises to immediately stop using it but to not throw it in the trash, or place it in household recycling. Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries poses additional fire hazards, report noted.

Meanwhile, to receive a free replacement, consumers must do the following:

Visit Anker’s recall site.

Register and upload a photo of the power bank showing: The model number (A1263); the serial number; the user’s name; the date of the photo; the word “recalled” written clearly on the device in permanent marker; and proof of purchase is requested but not required.

Consumers are also urged to confirm proper disposal of the device through a household hazardous waste (HHW) facility or local authority “before a replacement is issued.”

A word of caution also to consumers to avoid disposing of the battery in curbside recycling or regular trash.

“Contact your municipality or local HHW center for safe disposal instructions,” report stated.

For updates and to check if your product is affected, visit www.anker.com/product-recalls. For broader safety guidance, visit www.cpsc.gov.

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