Chinese Company Recalls 27,500 Portable Power Banks Sold on Amazon US
A Chinese device maker, iWalk, is recalling nearly 27,500 portable power banks in the US due to a fire hazard. The recall was announced by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after iWalk received 15 reports of the lithium-ion batteries in the power banks catching fire, resulting in 10 reported burn injuries.
Affected Models
The recalled power banks are the PowerGrip Slim (model number MXB008) and the PowerGrip Mag (model numbers DBL6000M/DBL6000P). These pocket-sized power banks feature a circular LED display indicating remaining battery life and have “iWALK” printed on the front. The model and serial numbers are printed on the back.
Reason for Recall
The CPSC stated that the chargers, which magnetically attach to smartphones and power other devices, contain lithium-ion batteries that can ignite, posing a risk of injury or even death to consumers. The recalled units were sold on Amazon.com, iWalkMall.com, and other e-commerce websites from July 2021 through March 2024, with prices ranging from $20 to $57.
Refund and Disposal Instructions
Consumers who possess a recalled iWalk power bank should cease using it immediately and contact U2O Global to obtain a full refund. To initiate the refund process, consumers must photograph the device, ensuring the model and serial numbers are visible and “Recalled” is written on the unit in permanent marker, and email the photograph to service@iwalk.net.
For disposal, consumers should not discard the lithium-ion battery in regular trash or standard recycling. Instead, they should adhere to local hazardous-waste guidelines by contacting the municipal public works department or a designated collection centre for proper handling.
