Portable Phone Chargers Recalled After Death, Burn Injuries Reported

Nearly 430,000 Casely power banks were recalled again after new incidents involving fires, burns, and overheating batteries.

Kelly McBride Ni

Published: 4/21/2026, 4:21:15 AM EDT

Portable Phone Chargers Recalled After Death, Burn Injuries Reported — An image of the recalled Casely Wireless Portable Power Bank. (CPSC)

A recall has been reannounced for the Casely Wireless Portable Power Banks due to fire and burn hazards linked to lithium-ion batteries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stated. The April 16 reannounced recall follows reports of a fatality, injuries, and dozens of incidents involving the devices since the first recall a year ago.

The CPSC said Casely Power Pods 5000mAh portable MagSafe wireless phone chargers, model E33A, can overheat, expand, or ignite while charging, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire and burn hazards.

The recall is for about 429,200 power banks sold online from March 2022 through September 2024 for $30 to $70, including on getcasely.com, Amazon, and other e-commerce websites not listed in the recall.

Casely first announced a recall in April 2025 after the CPSC received 51 reports of overheating, swelling, or fire, resulting in six reported minor burn injuries.

Since then, the agency said it has received 28 more reports, including two serious incidents.

In August 2024, a 75-year-old New Jersey woman’s death was linked to the recalled charger, as she was charging her phone with the Casely power bank on her lap when it caught fire and exploded, according to the recall notice. She suffered second- and third-degree burns and died from complications related to her injuries.

In February, a 47-year-old woman suffered first-degree burns when the device caught fire and exploded while she was charging her phone on an airplane, the CPSC said.

Owners are urged to stop using the devices immediately. Casely is also offering a free replacement. The Casely recall is listed as recall number 26-418.

The CPSC also warned consumers not to dispose of lithium-ion batteries in regular trash or curbside recycling due to the risk of fire. It’s recommended that consumers take recalled batteries to household hazardous waste facilities or follow local disposal guidance.

According to the CPSC, lithium-ion batteries pose a heightened fire risk if improperly disposed of. The agency said that consumers should follow local hazardous-waste disposal procedures.

Lithium-ion power banks can overheat or catch fire if damaged, overcharged, or misused, states the Consumer Product Safety Office.

It’s recommended to buy brands with built-in overcharge and short-circuit protection, and to stop using a device if it is swollen, hot, leaking, or damaged.

The office also says to charge on hard, well-ventilated surfaces, away from beds, sofas, or blankets, to reduce the risk of fire.