USB Power Adapters, Charging Kits Recalled Due to Risk of Fires, Burns

Two manufacturers have recalled over 56,000 cell phone chargers and power adaptors, following reports of the USB devices smoking and sparking, which could result in fires or burn injuries for consumers. 

A Lifeguard Press charging kit recall and a Gemini power adaptor/charger recall were both announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission on July 10, following at least one report involving a burn injury to a consumer’s hand linked to the Gemini chargers and six reports of the Lifeguard Press chargers emitting smoke and six reports of the prongs detaching from the plugs, creating a burn and shock hazard.

The Lifeguard Press recall includes about 25,400 charging kits with universal USB connectors used to recharge Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. The chargers were sold under the following brand names with accompanying model and item numbers; Ban.do Power Trip Frills with item number 14150111, Ban.do Power Trip Mermaid/Blush Stripe with model number 14150118, Jonathan Adler Architectural Borders with model numbers 140250, Jonathan Adler Hudson models with item number 140252 and Lilly Pulitzer Beach Rose with model number 143501, Mai Tai models with item number 78602, and Trippin and Sippin model with item number 143504.

The products were sold in a package including a wall charger, a 12-24-volt car charger, a 30-pin USB cord and Lightning port adapter. The wall chargers are plastic cubes and measure about 1 ¼ inches long by 1 inch wide and have two metal prongs to plug into the wall outlet. The chargers were sold in various colors including a floral pattern.

The chargers were manufactured in China under Lifeguard Press Inc., of Bowling Green, Kentucky where they were sold at Dillard’s, Lilly Pulitzer, Nordstrom’s and independent boutiques nationwide from February 2014 to June 2014 for between $25 and $30.

The Gemini charger recall includes about 31,000 power adaptor chargers for cell phones and other electronic products. These chargers are plastic cubes that measure about 1 inch to 1 ¼ inches on each side and have a set of prongs on one side and a USB adaptor on the other for plugging into a wall outlet or USB port. The chargers have model number ADCP3-1000 imprinted on the plug side and were sold in black, blue, green, red, and white.

The chargers were manufactured in China under Gemini Manufacturing Inc., of Gaffney, South Carolina where they were distributed as a promotional item at trade shows nationwide from October 2013 to April 2014.

The CPSC recommends customers with the Gemini chargers should unplug them and dispose of them. For further questions please contact Gemini at 877-230-4985 or visit them online at www.geminimanufacturing.net. Customers with the Ban.do, Jonathan Adler, or Lilly Pulitzer chargers should stop using them immediately, unplug them from the wall or USB port and contact Lifeguard Press at 800-992-3006 or visit them online at www.lifeguardpress.com for information on how to return the chargers and receive a full refund.