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A woman in India gets burned by exploding Nokia battery not on recall list

Batteries are one thing that virtually all gadgets have in common. Over the years there have been some very significant safety issues with some batteries.

Sony had the huge battery recall last year and Nokia issued a recall on 46 million BL-5C cell phone batteries due to the potential of a fire hazard during charging.

Today Engadget is reporting that a woman in India was injured by a Nokia battery that exploded about ten minutes after it was placed on the charger. The explosion led to minor burns on the 30-year old woman.

The battery in this case was a BLD-3 Nokia battery not on the recall list.

Nokia says this was an isolated incident and that if it finds the battery and charger were original the injured lady will be compensated. The phrase “isolated incident” was likely what the first reports of bursting BL-5C batteries were called by Nokia until the day the 46 million unit recall was issued.

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<none>
By ryedizzel on 9/4/2007 7:17:31 PM , Rating: 2
I wish they would recall my BL-6C battery for horrible battery life.




RE: <none>
By TomZ on 9/4/2007 8:04:21 PM , Rating: 2
Recalls are typically just used for safety issues. You should just call Nokia and complain; maybe they'll send you a replacement.


RE: <none>
By ryedizzel on 9/5/2007 12:00:46 AM , Rating: 2
Meh, I'd had the battery for over a year now so they will prolly tell me its out of warranty. Amazing how fast the life degrades after it expires.


RE: <none>
By LogicallyGenius on 9/5/2007 12:59:54 AM , Rating: 1
as a compensation the designer of the batteries should receive some of the burns in return.


RE: <none>
By Treckin on 9/5/2007 2:06:12 AM , Rating: 3
Thats what Locke would advocate... Unless in accordance with natural law, she didn't seek retribution for her loss.... in which case it falls to the rest of us. I'll get the acid...


They seem to be handling it....
By oTAL (blog) on 9/5/2007 4:37:09 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
The phrase “isolated incident” was likely what the first reports of bursting BL-5C batteries were called by Nokia until the day the 46 million unit recall was issued.


From what I heard, I believe there were no explosions of BL-5C. Only bulged batteries and the possibility of these exploding. Plus, I'm pretty sure this is the first Nokia battery incident in which someone gets hurt. Since usually this happens with plugged in phones when they overheat over some hours of charging, the phones are usually on their own, next to a wall socket.

Most of the people I know have Nokia phones and I never heard complaints about the batteries (plenty of other complaints though). No need to create panic here as they seem to be taking the appropriate measures.




By luhar49 on 9/6/2007 2:15:51 AM , Rating: 2
How many children died due to the "poisonous" paint used on Chinese manufactured Mattel toys ?

Sample size of your "friend circle" is rather miniscule in wider context.

Point is that if there is a chance of failure in any product which can injure someone, even one in millions then according to current norms the product should be recalled. Whether its made in China or in Finland.


Easy fix
By TimberJon on 9/5/2007 11:57:12 AM , Rating: 2
1) Don't buy a nokia
2) Upon first contact with your cell battery/charger, place in a steel container and charge accordingly.

"Mass Produce" and "Quality Control" cannot mix, sadly.




RE: Easy fix
By Hare on 9/5/2007 12:41:52 PM , Rating: 2
It is believed that this was a third party battery. Nothing to do with Nokia.


confirmed origional battery?
By feelingshorter on 9/4/2007 10:36:55 PM , Rating: 1
Almost all battery explosions i hear of is due to people buying cheap batteries for their cell phones on ebay or other online retailers for cheap. If you don't spend the extra 25 bucks, expect your ear to be blown off.




RE: confirmed origional battery?
By Moishe on 9/5/2007 7:34:25 AM , Rating: 1
I've used many replacement batteries so far without negative consequence... Really, I think there are millions (Billions?) of batteries used everyday and only a tiny fraction blow up. It seems relatively safe. As safe as going to work... or safer.

But with the recent troubles they should implement some kind of controls to prevent overcharging or damage. Not sure how that would happen though.


RE: confirmed origional battery?
By chick0n on 9/5/07, Rating: 0
RE: confirmed origional battery?
By Moishe on 9/5/2007 10:22:42 AM , Rating: 1
basically what you're saying is.... "don't put yourself in danger" and I'm simply telling you that I've used many generic batteries and not a single one has ever performed less than the OEM battery... some have performed better.

Sometimes generic products can provide quality for a good value. I think if a battery blows up you can (and should) be compensated in a reasonable way, but I personally won't stop using all batteries "just in case" one might blow up someday. I feel like the loss of the battery use would far outweigh the potential safety increase.


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