MILLIONS of laptop chargers have been urgently recalled over fears they could catch fire.
Brits have been warned over various Toshiba AC adapters and urged to “unplug them immediately” after safety concerns were raised.
The affected tech are adaptors marked 2502 – 0032 with DC-in plug used to charge laptops.
It has been discovered some of the gadgets can “overheat and spark” which causes “risk of fire and burns”.
They do not meet the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 requirements.
Anyone who owns the faulty laptop adaptors are urged to “unplug immediately”.
Users can refer to the Dynabook manual checker to learn if their adaptor is affected and if they are eligible for a new one.
They will also be able to find their adaptor’s part and serial number through the Dynabook manual checker.
This product recall is an extension of the alert issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards in 2018.
The OPSS warned: “Customers who previously checked and determined that their AC adapter was not affected by the June 2018 recall must now re-check their AC adapter.
“The products have been recalled from end users.
“Consumers are advised to check their AC adapter’s part number and if affected, they should turn off the laptop and unplug the AC adapter immediately.
“Please access the Dynabook manual checker to check if your adapter is affected and therefore qualifies for a replacement.
“For further information, please access the Dynabook recall page: AC Adapter Replacement Information. Alternatively, consumers may contact Dynabook Customer Support.”
Toshiba was contacted for comment.
Your product recall rights
Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know.
Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item