Samsung probably didn’t intend for their Note 7s to have a fire-starting feature.
Unfortunately, Samsung hasn’t had the greatest launch for their latest in the Galaxy Note series. Basically, since the phone’s launch, reports have surfaced that the phone can catch fire while charging. Now, however, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a statement saying owners should stop using the phone entirely, according to a report from CNBC.
Essentially, the CPSC wants any owners to turn the phone off and just stop using it. That also removes the need to charge the phone, which tends to spark the fires in reported cases. However, normal use has also caused Note 7s to catch fire.
The CPSC’s statement says that it is working closely with Samsung to create and issue a formal recall. However, the smartphone company has already created an exchange program where you can switch your defective Note 7 for a new one not affected by the battery issues. Samsung says that sales of the phones with faulty battery packs have already ceased, but it also “strongly advises” Note 7 users to participate in the program.
The CPSC’s statement also says that it is considering whether that exchange program is actually enough.
This news comes on the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration issuing a statement yesterday on Galaxy Note 7s. That statement says that the FAA urges passengers not to turn on or charge the phones while in flight, and not to check the phones or place them in checked baggage.
It currently does not seem that the TSA will confiscate those phones, however. That may change within the next few hours.
Next: Everything Apple announced this week
Basically, if you have a Galaxy Note 7, do not use it, don’t charge it, and keep an eye on the CPSC and Samsung’s official news feeds and Twitter accounts.
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