HP recalls 6M power cords in Canada, U.S. over fire risk

Hewlett-Packard is recalling more than six million notebook power cords sold in Canada and the United states over potential risk of fire and burns.

A statement from HP and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said there have been 29 reports of the power cords overheating and melting.

In a notice issued Tuesday, the company said the recall involves HP’s LS-15 AC power cords that come in black and have an “LS-15” molded mark on the AC Adapter end of the power cord. Customers are eligible for a replacement at no cost.

(The LS-15 HP AC power cord)

The power cords are used on HP and Compaq notebooks and mini notebooks and with AC adapter-power accessories such as docking stations. HP said the power cords “can overheat, posing a potential fire and burn hazard.”

The company said 446,700 such power cords were sold in Canada and 5,577,000 were sold in the U.S. between September 2010 through June 2012.

The warning brings to mind the spate of laptop battery recalls in the mid 2000s when various computer makers including Apple. HP, Lenovo, Panasonic and Sony issued laptops, laptop batteries and power adapters recalls due to overheating and fire hazards.

Users of the LS-15 AC power cords should call HP toll free at (877) 219-6676 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. mountain time Monday through Friday or go online at www.hp.com and select “Recalls” at the bottom of the page, then select Power Cord Recall.