A week after Samsung said that it would eventually be recalling the recently released Galaxy Note 7 phones over reports of exploding and smoking devices, the tech giant has yet to finalize an official recall with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Regardless, the CPSC is now publicly urging anyone who has one of these devices to stop using or charging their phone.
The concern is with the lithium-ion batteries in the Note 7. If these devices are causing or allowing the batteries to overheat, they can burt and have very dangerous and damaging results. In an effort to prevent further instances, the CPSC is asking that anyone with a Note 7 power their phone down and cease using it.
“This consumer warning is based on recent reports involving lithium-ion batteries in certain Note 7 devices that have resulted in fires,” reads a statement from the Commission. “These incidents have occurred while charging and during normal use, which has led us to call for consumers to power down their Note 7s.”
The lack of an official recall means that it’s still legal for people to sell their Note 7. It also means that other federal agencies are limited in the actions they can take with regard to the device. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration is asking Note 7 users to avoid using or charging their device while on planes, but because the Note 7 and its battery have not yet officially been recalled, the FAA can’t issue an outright ban on the phone.
Officials have previously told Consumerist that a recall is forthcoming, and the CPSC statement says the Commission and Samsung are “working cooperatively to formally announce an official recall of the devices, as soon as possible.”
Last week, Samsung announced an exchange program for the Note 7, but this is not the same as a recall.
The CPSC today says it is “working quickly to determine whether a replacement Galaxy Note 7 is an acceptable remedy for Samsung or their phone carriers to provide to consumers.”
by Chris Morran via Consumerist
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