Samsung Issued a Worldwide Recall of its Galaxy Note 7

There are hot calls and then there are hot calls. Samsung has lately developed an issue with calls, or rather smartphones, that are entirely too hot to handle. Samsung issued a worldwide recall of its Galaxy Note 7 just weeks after its release. Apparently, there is a danger that the batteries in the devices can explode during charging.

There are hot calls and then there are hot calls. Samsung has lately developed an issue with calls, or rather smartphones, that are entirely too hot to handle. Samsung issued a worldwide recall of its Galaxy Note 7 just weeks after its release. Apparently, there is a danger that the batteries in the devices can explode during charging.

While the Korean company did the right thing in issuing the recall, it didn’t necessarily handle it in the right way. The company issued the recall itself with the help of retail partners and cellular carriers. It did not, however, make the recall official by working with the U.S. Consumer Safety Product Commission. This “unofficial” recall, while better than nothing, could cause Samsung trouble when it comes to the damages the Galaxy Note 7 has caused.

The problem, according to Samsung is a “very rare manufacturing process error” that can cause the Galaxy Note 7’s battery to overheat and explode. The company has assured customers, millions of them, that the recalled units will be replaced by safe models. U.S. and UK customers can go to the company’s website to request a replacement. As for those frequent (or infrequent) flyers, the Federal Aviation Administration is asking people to refrain from flying with a Galaxy Note 7 that is powered on, charging or in checked baggage.

Back to the damages mentioned earlier. The company reported 35 incidents of problems with the battery as of September 1, but no injuries. That’s something for which to be thankful. However, there were some damages and at least two of the cases were not minor.

One comes from St. Petersburg, Florida. Nathan Dornacher had his Galaxy Note 7 in his Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was charging in the vehicle’s center console. Mr. Dornacher and his family had just returned from an outing, when, moments later, the Jeep was ablaze. Mr. Dornacher told FOX 13 that, “I converted from Apple phones back when some of the first Notes were out, and I’ve had every new Note since then.” His Galaxy Note 7 was four-days-old. He continued, “I don’t think I’m going to let another Samsung product into my house.”

The second case involved Mr. Wesley Hartzog of Horry County, South Carolina. While Mr. Dornacher’s property loss was bad, Mr. Hartzog’s was severe. Fire investigators believe the garage fire that ended up having Mr. Hartzog’s home condemned, started at a wall outlet. When asked by investigators what, if anything was plugged into that outlet, Mr. Hartzog replied, “My cell phone, which was the new Note 7, was plugged in in the garage. I also had an air compressor plugged into the same outlet but the compressor wasn’t on.” The Hartzog family is temporarily living in hotels while the investigation continues.

Interestingly, neither Mr. Dornacher, nor Mr. Hartzog was familiar with the recall. A Samsung spokesperson said the company is “working with Mr. Dornacher to investigate his case and ensure we do everything we can for him.” There was, to the best of one’s knowledge, no official statement from Samsung regarding Mr. Hartzog’s losses.

If you, dear readers, have one of these latest and greatest Samsung devices, I strongly urge you to visit the company’s site and request a replacement. The company believes it will have the replacements sent out in a couple weeks. In the meantime, run-do-not-walk, to the store where you bought your current Galaxy Note 7 to return it.

Sources:

Samsung’s recalled Galaxy Note 7 blamed for Jeep and garage fires

Florida Man’s prized jeep cremated by exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7