HP Recalls Thousands of Lithium Batteries
HP recently disclosed they will be recalling an estimated 101,000 lithium batteries due to overheating and fire hazards. According to The Verge, the devices impacted include HP ENVY, HP ProBook, HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario’s that were purchased between March 2013 to October 2016. HP has created a recall and replacement site, which can be accessed here. It is most certainly worth taking the time to check and see if your device needs its battery replaced. If it does, HP will provide one, free of charge.
Ongoing Dangers of Lithium Batteries
Lithium battery recalls have been an ongoing trend for some time now. The fire and overheating risks aren’t new, but more and more devices continue to be impacted. In 2016, the most publicized recall for lithium batteries was probably for the Samsung Note 7. What you may not know, is Toshiba also recalled thousands of PC lithium batteries in 2016 for the same hazards.
In 2006, PC Pitstop helped to expose the dangers of lithium batteries. In 2013, a similar study was done by PC Pitstop, in hopes the risks would no longer present themselves. However, the results were disturbing. You can view the study, which exploits the overheating and fire hazards with these batteries below,
At some point, manufactures must understand these batteries are hazardous and an alternative powering solution must be created.