Apple Recalls AC Wall Plug Adapters In Six Countries Over Electric Shock Fears
Apple on Thursday announced a voluntary recall of Australian AC two-prong wall plug adapters for Mac and iOS devices sold between 2003 and 2015 in Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina and Brazil. The adapters were also included in the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit. Apple has reported there have been 12 incidents globally of the adapters breaking, that may expose users to a risk of electric shock if touched.
The recall does not affect any other Apple AC wall plug adapters designed for Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, United Kingdom, United States or any Apple USB power adapters.
In an official statement, the company explained how to identify adapters that may be affected by the problem. “An affected two-prong plug adapter has either four or five characters or no characters on the inside slot where it attaches to the main Apple power adapter.”
The safe, redesigned adapters will have a horizontal 3-letter regional code in the slot, such as EUR, KOR, AUS, ARG or BRA.
Apple may seem a bit overly cautious on their part, as the company wants to ensure that it does all it can to prevent any further reported issues. People were advised to stop using the adapters and bring them to an Apple shop for replacement.
“Customer safety is always Apple’s top priority, and we have voluntarily decided to exchange affected wall plug adapters with a new, redesigned adapter, free of charge.”
Apple’s announcement comes a week after Microsoft said it will recall nearly all Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro 3 power cords over concerns that they can overheat under the wrong circumstances.
Visit apple.com/support/ac-wallplug-adapter for information on how to identify and exchange affected adapters for the new, redesigned version.
