Consumer electronics are one of the many items in your home that could become a burn or fire hazard if they are defective. Early this year, the Toshiba issued a recall of some of its laptops sold between June 2011 and November 2016. Reports that the laptop batteries may overheat and cause burn or fire hazards triggered the recall.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), this recall is an expansion of a previous recall issued on March 30, 2016. The two recalls affect more than 17,000 batteries in the U.S., 10,000 in Canada, and 5,000 in Mexico.
How do I tell if my battery is included in the Toshiba recall?
Toshiba suggests you turn off your laptop and remove the battery pack as soon as possible to avoid the risk of overheating. The laptop will still work when plugged into an AC adapter. When you remove your battery, look for the battery part number and serial number. These are on the main battery label or on labels near the battery pack compartment.
With this information, go to Toshiba’s battery recall webpage and enter your numbers into the search box. Alternatively, the page has a link to download a tool that will run and automatically check for your recall eligibility without searching the database.
Once you confirm your battery is eligible, you will receive instructions for discarding the old battery and receiving your new one free of charge.
Are electronics recalls common?
Yes, consumer electronic defects are a common cause of burn injuries and fire hazards. Even laptops that are not defective can get extremely hot when placed on a surface that blocks the vents. Other defects that can cause fire hazards in electronics include:
- Damaged wiring
- Wires placed against heated components
- Leaks in fuel lines or gasoline tanks
- Electronic shorts
- Poor ventilation
To get the latest news on product recalls, visit the CPSC’s recall alerts page.
Protect Your Family from Hazardous Home Products
Whenever the CSPC issues a recall for an item in your home, stop using the item immediately until you can confirm that the recall does not affect your product. If the recall affects your product, follow the manufacturer’s directions for safely disposing of or repairing the product.
For more information on burn prevention and treatment, read our blog.