Recall of the Week: Apple travel adapter kits and plugs due to electric shock
February 28, 2016
Apple is recalling about 814,000 AC adapter kits and plug adapters in the United States and about 81,000 in Canada.
The two-prong wall plug adapters for Australia/New Zealand/Argentina, Brazil, Continental Europe, and Korea can break and expose the metal portion of the adapter, posing an electric shock risk, the company and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
Apple has received 12 reports of wall plug adapters breaking and consumers receiving shocks overseas, including three reports of consumers who were medically evaluated and released. No reports of incidents or injuries were reported by U.S. consumers.
The recalled adapters were made for use in Australia/New Zealand/Argentina, Brazil, Continental Europe and Korea and were also sold with Mac computers and iOS devices. The wall plug adapters are white plastic with the following characteristics:
- Australia/New Zealand/Argentina – flat angled blades.
- Brazil – round thin pins.
- Continental Europe – round thin pins, slightly slanted inward.
- Korea – round thick pins.
Recalled wall plug adapters have either four or five letters or numbers, or no markings on the inside slot where the wall plug adapter attaches to the main power adapter. Redesigned adapters have a three-letter regional code in the slot – EUR, ARG, KOR, AUS, or BRA.
The adapters were sold at Apple stores and other home electronics stores, and online at Apple.com from January 2003 through January 2015 for about $30.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled wall plug adapters and contact Apple for free replacement adapters, the company and commission advise.
For more information, call Apple at 800-275-2273 any time, or visit www.apple.com and click on AC Wall Plug Adapter Recall Program.
For details on other recalls, see www.recalls.gov.
Comments