HP expands global battery recall due to fire and burn hazards

HP has announced an expansion of its ongoing worldwide voluntary safety recall for certain notebook computer batteries.

Fire and safety concerns prompted the company to recall batteries sold between March 2013 and August 2015 back in June last year.

Batteries affected were shipped with specific Compaq, HP ProBook, HP Envy, Compaq Presario, and HP Pavilion Notebook Computers. They were sold worldwide as accessories or spares.

This particular program has been expanded to include additional batteries that were shipped with the same notebook products.

HP has confirmed in a statement that these batteries do have the potential to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to customers.

"It is essential to recheck your battery, even if you did so previously and were informed that it was not affected," a company statement read.

"However if you have already received a replacement battery, you are not affected by this expansion.

The organisation is advising customers tocease use of affected batteries immediately, although they can continue to use their notebook computer without the battery installed, by connecting the notebook to external power.

HP stipulates that its primary concern is for the safety of customers. The company is proactively notifying customers, and will provide a replacement battery for each verified, eligible battery, at no cost.

For customers with 10 or more potentially affected batteries, HP has put in place a process to assist with the validation and ordering process.