AN urgent warning has been issued over “exploding” gadget that Brits buy from airports.
The “overpriced” device has been recalled over the risk of causing fire and burns.
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A company called iStore has recalled its 5,000mAh Magnetic Wireless Power Bank over fears of causing fire and burns.
Customers have been warned that the power bank’s lithium ion battery can “overheat and ignite” while charging.
There have already been three reports of the device exploding with one user sustaining minor burns and over £11,000 in property damage.
Between February 2023 and May 2025, the company’s online shop and airport vending machines sold about 8,520 of the power banks in the United States and an additional 6,400 in Canada.
Travellers about to board a long-haul flight could pick up the gadget for $46 to $65.
How to check if you own the affected Power Bank Model
Customers have been told to look out for the model number IST-09991/W05 written on the back and the iStore logo etched on the front to recognise the recalled product.
The iStore logo may appear above the model number on some units.
The recalled magnetic power bank also has a USB-C port for recharging it.
How to claim a refund
Customers who have a recalled power bank are advised by iStore to stop using it right away and dispose of it properly.
You should also email two pictures to [email protected] to request a refund.
A permanent marker should be used to write “recalled” on the front of the power bank in one picture, and the model number should be displayed on the back in the second.
The firm also asks for a copy of the purchase receipt, although it is not required to obtain a refund.
Growing concern
There is a growing concern for aviation safety as passengers carry more battery-powered items on flights.
Last year, the US Federal Aviation Administration recorded three incidents of lithium batteries overheating on planes every two weeks globally compared to just under one a week in 2018.
In January this year, South Korea said that a spare power bank was the possible cause of a fire that had engulfed a Busan Air flight to Hong Kong.
Since that incident, airlines globally have been tightening power bank rules.
Aviation rules generally say power banks should be carried in cabin baggage but increasingly airlines are banning their use on board and say they must be kept within view to spot any problems.
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
