HP Recalls Batteries for Computers Due to Fire Hazards

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) informed Thursday that the HP lithium-ion battery packs can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. It recommends the replacement of these batteries.

Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled batteries, remove them from the notebook computers and contact HP for a free replacement battery.

Consumers can contact HP at toll-free 888-202-4320888-202-4320 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or online at the HP Battery Recall website.

There are about 41,000 affected units. In addition, about 2,600 were sold in Canada and about 4,500 were sold in Mexico.

The recall involves lithium-ion batteries containing Panasonic cells that are used in HP notebook computers. The batteries are compatible with HP, Compaq, HP ProBook, HP ENVY, Compaq Presario, and HP Pavilion notebook computers.

[ What Are the Wireless Radiation Health Risks to Pregnant Women? ]

The black batteries measure about 8 inches long, 2 inches wide and about 1 inch high. The battery bar code is printed on the back of the battery.

“HP Notebook Battery” and the model number are printed on the battery. The batteries included in this recall have the following barcodes: 6BZLU, 6CGFK, 6CGFQ, 6CZMB, 6DEMA, 6DEMH, 6DGAL and 6EBVA.

HP has received seven reports of battery packs overheating, melting or charring, including four reports of property damage of about $4,000 total.

These computers were sold at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Costco and authorized dealers and online at www.hp.com from March 2013 through August 2015.

The batteries were sold with notebook computers for between $300 and $1,700. The batteries were also sold separately for between $50 and $90.

Manufactured in China, the computers were imported by HP Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.

Photo courtesy: CPSC