It looks like firetrap gadgets are the hottest trend to hit the gadget market recently.
Barely a year after news of Samsung faced exploding Galaxy Note 7 and fire-hazard washing machines, here's another tech brand is sitting on the hot seat. On March 14, Performance Designed Products announced a recall of its Energizer 2X Smart Chargers, which have been reported to overheat.
"The battery chargers can overheat and damage the Xbox One video game controller, posing a burn hazard to consumers," the notice posted with the Consumer Product Safety Commission reads.
The Xbox One 2x Smart Chargers are certified controller chargers manufactured by Energizer.
Firing With Xbox One Controller Charger
Performance Designed Products, which manufactures and distributes Energizer Portable Power charging solutions that include the Xbox One controller charger, announced the voluntary recall after the company received reports regarding the fire hazard potential of the product.
"The company has received 24 reports of the chargers overheating and deforming the charger's plastic cover, including six reports of chargers emitting a burning odor. No injuries have been reported," notes the recall announcement.
The recall will cover about 121,000 chargers in the United States, plus an additional 7,250 units sold in Canada and 2,560 in Mexico.
The specific charger model in question is described as:
• Made of black plastic
• Measuring 3.5 inches long, 5 inches wide and 11 inches tall
• "Energizer®" printed on the label
• Item number 048-052-NA printed on the bottom
• Can hold up to two Xbox controllers
The recall notice advises consumers to immediately cease using the recalled chargers. It also advises consumers to contact Performance Designed Products to return the chargers for a full refund.
The chargers are currently being sold at different online and physical stores such as Best Buy, GameStop, Amazon, and Newegg to name a few. The $40 chargers have been in stores from February 2016 through February 2017.
The CPSC is an independent agency of the U.S. government that oversees and regulates consumer products regarding their safety by addressing risks and enacting decisions such as product recall if the product fails to meet safety standards.
PDP: Certified Third-Party Accessory Manufacturer
Performance Designed Products, the maker of the Energizer-powered Xbox One 2X Smart Charger, calls itself "the number one video game accessory maker in North America." It has worked with its tech partners and top entertainment brands such as Xbox One to come up with products that will "create an outstanding experience" for gamers and consumers.
Among its Xbox One-certified products are Rock Band Rivals Band Kit, Gears of War 4 Prop Replica Customized Lancer, thematic Xbox One controllers, Afterglow headsets, and collectibles such as the Mass Effect Andromeda Nomad scale model.
PDP also makes products for Nintendo Switch such as screen protectors, console cases, candy-colored Joy-Cons, and the Starter Kit Mario Icon gaming pack.
