Amazon recalls Kindle Fire tablet chargers amid electrocution fears

Amazon is recalling chargers for its seven inch Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire Kids Edition over fears that users might be electrocuted.

The online retail giant is urging customers to return the power adapters and is giving them a choice of being sent a free replacement or receiving a £12 credit so they can select their own alternative.

The adapters in question have a model number of ‘FABK7B’ and chargers for the Amazon Kindle Fire HD and HD X are not affected.

“We have determined that, in rare cases, when the power adapter included with the UK Fire 7 and UK Fire Kids Edition 7 tablet is pulled from the wall socket, the adapter assembly may detach and create a risk of electrical shock,” said the company. “Affected adapters were sold only in the United Kingdom and Ireland from September 2015.

“Customer safety is our top priority, and we are proactively offering to replace these power adapters with a new adapter, free of charge,” said Amazon.

“Please discontinue use of your original adapter. Until you receive a replacement adapter, you can use the included USB cable connected to a computer or another compatible adapter to charge your tablet,” it added.

The Amazon recall is the latest in a series of similar incidents in recent months. In January, Apple recalled some iPhone chargers over electrocution fears, while Microsoft is offering replacement adapters for the Microsoft Surface Pro, Pro 2 and Pro 3, amid concerns they are prone to overheating.

Antony Savvas

York, UK-based Antony Savvas has been a technology journalist for 25 years and has expertise in all major areas of enterprise and consumer IT. He has worked for a number of leading technology magazines and websites and his work is syndicated across the internet. He also undertakes corporate work for some of the world's leading technology companies.