US regulators are reportedly reviewing some AmazonBasics electronics over safety concerns

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US regulators are reportedly reviewing some AmazonBasics electronics over safety concerns
Some Amazon-branded electronics are being reviewed after reports that they pose a fire hazard.Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
  • Some AmazonBasics items are being reviewed by federal safety regulators, CNN reported Monday.
  • The products include a battery charger, surge protectors, and a microwave.
  • Customers have reported that some AmazonBasics items are prone to catching fire, exploding, or melting.
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A US regulator is investigating the safety of several Amazon-branded products, CNN reported Monday.

At least eight AmazonBasics products - including a battery charger, surge protectors, phone charging cords, a patio heater, and a voice-controlled microwave - are being reviewed by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the outlet said, citing interviews and public records.

An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment. A representative for the CPSC declined to confirm the existence of the investigation or say how many products are under review, telling Insider the agency cannot comment on investigations.

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A September 2020 CNN investigation found that more than 70 AmazonBasics products had hundreds of reviews stating that they had caught fire, melted, began smoking, or exploded. Many of those products were still available to purchase at the time of CNN's report, despite the numerous reports that could pose a safety hazard.

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In one incident, fire marshals determined that a 2017 housefire was sparked by an AmazonBasics USB cord. One customer told CNN that his surge protector began spewing flames and started a fire in his home in 2018. Amazon paid out a $1,500 settlement to cover the damages, but continued selling the product for nearly two years, despite other customers reporting that it was a fire hazard.

In response to the September report, US lawmakers called on Amazon to recall any potentially dangerous products.

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