Power Bank Chargers Sold On Amazon Recalled After They Melted, Caught Fire

Charmast has recalled 488,000 power banks sold on Amazon. 

Almost half a million power bank chargers sold exclusively on Amazon over the last six years have been recalled after dozens of reports of the product expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking while in use.

Key Facts

The recalled portable chargers are powered by lithium-ion batteries and were sold under the brand name Charmast exclusively on Amazon for between $14 and $25 from December 2018 through September 2024.

Charmast has received 44 reports of the recalled power banks expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking, and four customers reported receiving burns or blisters from the defective products, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The company's recall says the products should be disposed of through local recycling centers for damaged or defective lithium batteries and should not be thrown out in regular garbage or in used battery recycling boxes because their defect poses a safety risk.

Which Power Bank Chargers Have Been Recalled?

The defective products have “Model: W1056” printed on the back and were sold in black, blue, green, mint, pink and white.

Key Background

Lithium-ion batteries contain flammable materials and can overheat, leading to fire or explosion. The batteries can re-ignite without warning, even days after an initial fire has been put out, and can release toxic, flammable and explosive gases. Last year, at least seven people were injured in a five-alarm fire in New York City caused by a defective lithium-ion scooter battery, and the New York City Fire Department said it responded to more than 200 e-scooter and e-bike fires—resulting in six deaths—in 2022. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it received reports from 39 states of at least 208 fires or overheating events that caused a reported 19 fatalities from Jan, 1, 2021 through Nov. 28, 2022.

Crucial Quote

“Lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail, but only so long as there are no defects and the batteries are not damaged or mistreated,” Steve Kerber, vice president and executive director of Underwriters Laboratory’s Fire Safety Research Institute, told CNN. “The more batteries that surround us the more incidents we will see.”

Tangent

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported several other recalls Thursday, including one impacting about 63,000 batteries used in lawnmowers and other outdoor tools. Chevron North America has recalled SKIL 40V 5.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Batteries after more than 100 reports of the batteries overheating, melting, smoking and lighting on fire, including eight reports of minor burns and/or smoke inhalation and 49 reports of related property damage. Also recalled Thursday were 85,000 silicone baby spoon sets from Melii Baby and about 500 Elongdi magnetic building stick sets sold on Amazon.