iPhone, iPod Touch Cases Recalled Over Fire Concerns

Owners of specific battery-pack cases advised to stop use immediately and seek a replacement.

Best Buy and case manufacturer Mophie have been forced to issue recalls of iPhone and iPod battery-pack cases following concerns that they are a fire

hazard.

In Best Buy's case, the product in question is the Rocketfish Model RF-KL12 Mobile Battery Case for iPhone 3G and 3GS (pictured right). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada say the battery case can overheat while charging, posing a fire hazard and note that there have been 14 reports of the battery cases overheating in the United States, including three reports of minor burns to consumers and four reports of minor property damage. Manufactured in China, the case is available from Best Buy stores nationwide, Future Shop and Best Buy stores in Canada, and online from approximately April 2010 through to September 2011. The recall affects about 31,000 units in the U.S. and about 1,000 in Canada. Consumers are advised to  immediately stop using the product and contact Best Buy for instructions on returning the case and receiving a Best Buy gift card for $70 or $105 in Canada.

Mophie is faced with a similar problem with its Mophie Juice Pack Air (below). The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada say the battery case's integrated circuit switch can overheat, posing a burn hazard to consumers, and note that Mophie has has received 110 reports of the product becoming warm to the touch, 44 reports of the product deforming and nine reports of minor burns.

Only battery cases with serial numbers that have the first five alphanumeric characters of TR113 through TR120 are subject to this recall. Also manufactured in China, the case has been sold at B& H Photo, Barnes & Noble, InMotion Entertainment, J&R Music World, Marine Corps Exchange stores, Amazon.com and mophie.com since April 2011. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the case and contact Mophie for instructions on receiving a replacement product.

Hit up CPSC for more information on the recall.