Woman’s death, fire on plane prompt reannounced power bank recall

(NEXSTAR) – A string of incidents, including one that left a 75-year-old woman dead, has prompted a recall for select portable device chargers to be reannounced.

A year ago, Casely recalled its Power Banks 5000mAh portable MagSafe wireless phone charger due to the risk of fire and burn hazards.

Ahead of the recall, the company said it had received 51 “reports of the lithium-ion battery overheating, expanding or catching fire,” according to a notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Six consumers said they suffered minor burns because of the charger.

Casely recalled more than 429,000 of the portable power banks, which are described as pods small enough to fit in your pocket. Customers were instructed to stop using the chargers and contact Casely for a free replacement.

However, since the recall was announced, the CPSC reports there have been more than two dozen additional consumer complaints regarding the chargers.

In one instance, the charger caught fire and exploded while a 75-year-old New Jersey woman was charging her phone on her lap. Thursday’s notice explained that the woman, who had second- and third-degree burns, died of complications related to her injuries.

Earlier this year, a recalled charger also caught fire and exploded while a traveler was charging her phone aboard a plane. She had first-degree........

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