As a former owner of a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 (you know, the explodey one), I’m a little sensitive to exactly how much chemical energy I’m shoving into my jeans on any given day. Case in point: accessory maker Anker is recalling six of its popular USB power banks, which are at risk for “melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards.” Oh dear.
Here’s the full list, compiled from two different Anker alerts and spotted by 9to5Google:
- Anker PowerCore 10000 — Model A1263
- Anker Power Bank (10K, 22.5W) — Model A1257
- Anker Power Bank (20K, 22.5W, Built-In USB-C Cable) — Model A1647
- Anker MagGo Power Bank (10K, 7.5W) — Model A1652
- Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C and Lightning Cable) — Model A1681
- Anker Zolo Power Bank (20K, 30W, Built-In USB-C Cable) — Model A1689
Anker says that it’s initiating a recall for these models “out of an abundance of caution.” If you have one of the affected devices, first of all, stop using it. Second of all, don’t throw it in the trash—a flaming bag of garbage is only marginally better than flaming pants. You can initiate the recall process with Anker even if you no longer have a receipt for the battery, simply using photos of the appropriate model number.
Once you document your battery and submit the photos to Anker, you can dispose of it via an authorized recycling or waste disposal center (standard electronics recycling centers might not have the necessary safety equipment). You might want to call ahead to make sure they’re authorized to dispose of recalled batteries.
That’s a bit of a hassle, sure, but it’s better than a house fire. Once you’ve submitted the documentation to Anker, the company says it will issue a replacement to you, or if no replacement is available, a gift card for the approximate value.