The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a warning that consumers should immediately stop using certain replacement batteries for cordless Dyson vacuum cleaners.
The lithium-ion replacement battery packs are produced by Zautnkn.Inc and sold on Amazon. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says the batteries have a risk of catching fire.
The batteries do not meet Underwriter’s Laboratory standards. The China-based company that builds the battery packs has not issued a recall or consumer relief for buyers who purchased the batteries. Buyers may find relief through Amazon returns, as the product carries a 30-day refund and a 12-month warranty.
CPSC says consumers should immediately stop using the battery packs. Lithium-ion batteries are hazardous waste and must be taken to an approved collection center. The batteries should not be thrown in the trash.
Three fires have been reported as a result of battery failures. One person was treated for smoke inhalation due to a fire from using the low-cost replacement batteries from Zautnkn.Inc. The batteries are designed to work with Dyson V6 cordless vacuums.
Dyson does not recommend using third-party batteries for its products. The CPSC reminds consumers looking for lower-cost options to look for the UL certification that indicates the product meets safety standards.
Amazon no longer lists products made by Zautnkn.Inc and the manufacturer page on Amazon is not available.
It is not clear when or where the fires occurred or if there was damage caused to structures. The CPSC has not said whether the fires happened when the batteries were in use or if they occurred during charging. Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire even when not in use.
Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in various devices, including smartphones, rechargeable tools, and other devices. A large fire in an apartment building in Dallas last December has been blamed on a faulty lithium-ion battery in a hoverboard, according to NBC 5 DFW. That fire displaced 20 families but did not result in any injuries.
As electric vehicles become more common, managing fires associated with lithium-ion batteries are becoming an even more significant challenge, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. A car fire can typically be put out with 500 to 1,000 gallons of water, but a fire involving an EV engine could take up to 40,000 gallons to extinguish the battery pack.