The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereCPSC·15030·Announced 2014-11-19

AP Specialties Recalls Two-Tone Power Bank Chargers Due to Fire Hazard

AP Specialties is recalling about 172,000 Two-Tone Power Bank Chargers because they can overheat and cause a fire. Consumers should stop using the units and contact the company for a replacement.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a fire hazard with one reported incident of fire damage, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' under the Severe category.

Plain-English summary

Alumni Partners dba AP Specialties is recalling approximately 172,000 Two-Tone Power Bank Chargers. These self-contained energy sources are used to charge cell phones and other devices when an electrical outlet is not available. The units are rectangular, measuring approximately 3.6 inches long by 1 inch high by 1 inch wide, with a white top and sides in various colors. The white top features the text "OUT DC5V" and "IN DC5V" in black letters. Units with a period after the lettering ("OUT DC5V.") are not involved in this recall. The name or logo of the organization that distributed the charger as a promotional item appears on the side.

The recall is being issued because the power banks can overheat when being charged or when used to charge another device, creating a fire hazard. There have been three reported incidents of the power banks overheating, with one incident resulting in fire damage. No injuries have been reported.

The power banks were distributed as promotional items at various meetings, trade shows, and industry conventions from November 2013 to August 2014. They were sold for approximately $8 to $11. Consumers should immediately stop using the charger and contact AP Specialties for a replacement. The company will provide an envelope and label for free return of the power bank and will send a replacement product upon receipt. Consumers can contact AP Specialties toll-free at (888) 877-7221 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.apspecialties.com or www.powerbankrecall.com for more information.

The recalled product

Product
Two-Tone Power Bank Charger
Manufacturer
Alumni Partners dba AP Specialties of San Clemente, Calif.
Category
Consumer Product — Battery Chargers
Hazard
Affected units
172,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same hazard · fire

See all →

Similar recalls