Tesla Powerwalls, Belkin chargers, children’s toys among thousands of products recalled for safety hazards
A series of nationwide product recalls has been announced by federal regulators, affecting hundreds of thousands of consumer items ranging from home energy systems and power banks to children’s toys, sleepwear and bicycles. Several of the recalled products pose fire, burn or choking hazards, while others violate mandatory federal safety standards.
Hazard: The lithium-ion battery cells in certain Powerwall 2 systems can cause the unit to stop functioning during normal use, which can result in overheating and, in some cases, smoke or flame and can cause death or serious injury due to fire and burn hazards.
Remedy: Consumers should ensure their Powerwall 2 system is online and check the Tesla App for a notification about whether their unit is included in the recall. Tesla has remotely discharged (or removed energy from the battery of) affected Powerwall 2 systems that are online to prevent overheating until the replacement is installed.
Units: About 10,500
Hazard: The recalled sleep sacks violate the mandatory flammability standard for children’s sleepwear, posing a burn hazard and risk of serious injury or death to children.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the sleep sacks and contact Zigjoy-US for a full refund. Consumers should cut the sleep sacks in half, take a photo of the destroyed garments and email it to zjoy-us@outlook.com to receive the refund.
Units: About 700
Belkin Recalls Portable Power Banks and Wireless Charging Stands Due to Fire and Burn Hazards
Hazard: The lithium-ion battery in the power banks and charging stands can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power banks and charging stands and contact Belkin to receive a full refund or store credit. Consumers should submit photos showing the front and back of the product with their recall submission form. Consumers can receive a full refund for the amount on the purchase receipt, if provided. If no receipt is provided, consumers can receive the average sales price for the model. Alternatively, consumers can choose to receive a Belkin store credit worth 20 percent more than the average sales price of the model.
Note: Do not throw this recalled lithium-ion battery or device in the trash, the general recycling stream (e.g., street-level or curbside recycling bins), or used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores. Recalled lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of differently than other batteries, because they present a greater risk of fire. Your municipal household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center may accept this recalled lithium-ion battery or device for disposal. Before taking your battery or device to a HHW collection center, contact that office ahead of time and ask whether it accepts recalled lithium-ion batteries. If it does not, contact your municipality for further guidance.
Units: About 83,500 (In addition, about 2,385 were sold in Canada)
Hazard: The button cell and lithium coin batteries are not in child-resistant packaging and do not bear the warning labels required under Reese’s Law. If a child swallows button cell or coin batteries, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, including internal chemical burns and death.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the Great Lakes Select Battery Packs immediately, place them in an area that children cannot access and contact Great Lakes Wholesale International to obtain a full refund.
Note: Button cell and coin batteries are hazardous. Batteries should be disposed of or recycled by following local hazardous waste procedures.
Units: About 32,600
Trek Recalls Bicycles with Coaster Brakes and Replacement Rear Wheels Due to Crash Hazard
Hazard: The coaster brakes can fail to engage, resulting in the rider losing control, posing a crash hazard.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bicycles with coaster brakes and related replacement rear wheels and contact an authorized Trek or Electra dealer to schedule a free repair at the dealer.
Units: About 68,000 (In addition, about 6,820 were sold in Canada)
Hazard: The recalled silicone activity toys contain spherical ends that can reach the back of the throat, posing a serious choking hazard to children.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled toy immediately, take it away from children and contact Mobi Games to receive a full refund. Consumers will be asked to register their product online by first confirming they have an affected version with spherical ends on the strings and then by providing a photo of the destroyed toy. Consumers will be directed to destroy the toy by cutting the spherical ends off the silicone strings and writing their initials and date on the teal cylinder.
Units: About 117,500 (In addition, about 25,786 were sold in Canada)
Hazard: The doll sets violate the mandatory standard for toys because the battery compartment of the unicorn contains button cell batteries that can be easily accessed by children. When button cell or coin batteries are swallowed, the ingested batteries can cause serious injuries, internal chemical burns and death.
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the doll sets away from children, stop using the recalled toys and remove and properly dispose of the batteries. Consumers will be asked to throw the unicorn away and send a photo of the disposed product to bettinaftersales@outlook.com to receive a full refund.
Note: Button cell and coin batteries are hazardous. Batteries should be disposed of or recycled by following local hazardous waste procedures.
Units: About 380
