Supplied
The National Consumer Commission has called on customers who bought GIZZU 300Wh and 500Wh portable power stations to immediately stop using them and to return to the store where they were bought.
The warning came after the importer and distributor, Syntech Distribution, informed the Commission of the precautionary recall of these products following reports of fire hazards. "These devices combusted while charging."
"According to this importer, the product was imported from China and distributed (sold) by Takealot.com; Builders Warehouse, Makro, Incredible Connection, and Hifi Corp," said Acting Commissioner, Thezi Mabuza.
She said the affected devices have a battery manufacturing flaw which presents a possibility of the product self-combusting and melting when it is charging.
"In cases where the product's battery does self-combust, a non-toxic cloud of smoke is released, which may present a fire hazard to nearby furniture."
Mabuza says while the supplier says the recall affects a small number of units, however, the safety of South African consumers is of utmost importance, all the time.
"This recall comes at a time when South Africans are grappling with the effects of rolling blackouts and trying to circumvent the effects of load shedding. It is estimated that 3500 units were sold " she added.
