Anker recalls 80,000 speakers over serious fire risk

In the United States and Canada, Anker has issued a recall for nearly 80,000 units of its Soundcore and PowerConf Bluetooth speakers because of reports indicating that their lithium batteries have been overheating and catching fire. Between March and October 2023, these potentially dangerous speakers were sold, mainly through Amazon, often at discounted prices during significant retail events like Prime Days and Black Friday. The recall comes amidst growing safety concerns around lithium batteries, which have seen a significant number of recalls in recent years due to their inherent risks when improperly manufactured or overly taxed. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has documented 33 incidents linked to the overheating of the lithium-ion batteries in the affected models, including some cases that resulted in smoking and minor fires. One reported case involved a burn injury, highlighting the potential dangers associated with the prolonged use of these speakers. The identification of the specific models at risk includes the Anker Soundcore A3102 and PowerConf A3302 Bluetooth speakers, which has raised alarms about the safety protocols in place for electronic gadgets of this nature. Consumers are advised to cease the use of any potentially affected speakers immediately, ensuring they are switched off and disconnected from power sources. Anker has provided guidance for owners interested in determining if their speaker is part of the recall; owners can access an Anker webpage to enter their speaker's serial number. If a speaker is found to be under recall, Anker instructs users to contact their customer service for information on obtaining a full refund and proper disposal of the defective products, drawing attention to the need for responsible battery disposal as opposed to simply throwing them in the trash. This recall follows an earlier incident in October where Anker was compelled to recall 2,000 Power Banks due to similar issues concerning overheating, explosions, and fire risks associated with their lithium batteries. This pattern of device recalls raises concerns regarding the standards and quality assurance measures in place during the manufacturing process of consumer electronics, especially regarding lithium-ion technology, which has become ubiquitous across various consumer products. The need for increased vigilance from manufacturers in ensuring the safety of battery products could pave the way for revised regulations or increased scrutiny in the industry, emphasizing consumer safety and the importance of swift response mechanisms when hazards are identified.