U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Stop Using Your Samsung Galaxy Note 7
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WASHINGTON (CBSMiami) – Just one day after the FAA issued a warning about charging Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones on planes, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is now urging all consumers stop using the device altogether.
The CPSC says the lithium-ion batteries in the phones can overheat and burst, and "the results can be serious."
Due to several reports of Note 7s catching fire, the CPSC is calling for all consumers to power the device down.
The batteries have reportedly ignited while charging and during normal use.
Samsung announced it has been collaborating with the CPSC.
They are echoing the CPSC's call to shut the device down.
"Samsung continues to ensure that consumer safety remains our top priority. We are asking users to power down their Galaxy Note 7s and exchange them now." said Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America. "New Note7 replacement devices will be issued to exchange program participants upon completion of the CPSC process. In the interim, consumers can return their Note 7 for another device."
Samsung says they have identified the affected inventory and stopped sales and shipments of those devices.
Customers who have Galaxy Note 7 devices can replace their current device with a new device under the terms of the U.S. Note 7 Exchange Program.
The exchange program offers consumers the following choices:
1. Exchange current Galaxy Note 7 device with a new Galaxy Note 7 (pending CPSC approval).
2. Exchange current Galaxy Note 7 for a Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge and replacement of any Note 7 specific accessories with a refund of the price difference between devices.
Select carrier and retail outlets will also provide customers, who prefer a replacement Note 7, with a Samsung loaner phone to use until new Note 7s are available.
Additionally, participants in the U.S. exchange program will receive a $25 gift card or bill credit from select carrier or retail outlets.
Galaxy Note 7 owners can contact or visit the retail outlet where they purchased their device or call 1-800-SAMSUNG to initiate a product exchange and to resolve any other questions or concerns.
All consumers should report product safety incidents involving lithium-ion batteries in smartphones to us via www.SaferProducts.gov.