Hong Kong Customs Warns of Overheating Risks in Specific Wireless Charging Power Bank, Advising Discontinuation of Use

Hong Kong Customs alerts public to not use unsafe external power bank with wireless charging function

Hong Kong Customs today (August 31) alerted members of the public to the potential overheating and thermal burn injury posed by one model of an external power bank with wireless charging function (power bank) and advised them to stop using the product.

In an operation and a search against a retailer conducted earlier, Customs officers obtained 220 pieces of the subject model of power bank. Safety test results revealed that the tested power banks failed the thermal burn injury test when using the wireless charging function. If a metal foreign object was placed between the power bank and the device being charged, the temperature of the foreign object could reach from 86.6 to 131.4 degrees Celsius, exceeding the permissible limit of 85 degrees C. Overheating was also observed in the power bank. Therefore, the product did not comply with the relevant international product safety standards, and is suspected to be in contravention of the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO).

A prohibition notice was served to the subject retailer, prohibiting the sale of the suspected unsafe power bank concerned.

Furthermore, Customs officers have conducted spot checks and inspections in various districts and have not found any sale of the power bank concerned so far. The investigation is ongoing.

Customs reminds members of the public to adhere to following safety tips when purchasing and using power banks:

• Purchase power banks manufactured by reputable brands and equipped with short circuit protection devices, including overcharging, overcurrent and overheated battery temperature protection devices, and choose charger cables produced by original manufacturers;

• Read the user manual before using the power bank to understand how to use it properly; Squeezing, dropping, or violent shaking may damage the internal structure of the power bank and cause short circuits. When carrying a power bank, it should be stored separately and not mixed with hard objects;

• Ensure the power bank is placed in a well-ventilated area to avoid obstructing heat dissipation from the power bank and to minimise the risk of a short circuit. Devices being charged should not be placed near inflammable substances such as clothes;

• Keep the power bank and chargers clean, and do not place any objects between the power bank and the device being charged during wireless charging;

• Avoid prolonged charging. Once the device being charged is fully charged, unplug it to prevent the power bank from overheating and causing accidents;

• Place the power bank and chargers in use within sight;

• Do not use the power bank to charge more than one device or use the device while charging at the same time to avoid overloading and combustion; and

• If the power bank is found to be damaged, overheating or making any abnormal noise/smell/vibration, stop using it immediately and unplug it.

Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on consumer goods to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

Customs also reminds traders to comply with the statutory requirements of the CGSO to protect the safety of consumers. Under the CGSO, it is an offence to supply, manufacture or import into Hong Kong consumer goods unless the goods comply with the general safety requirements for consumer goods. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the CGSO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs today (August 31) alerted members of the public to the potential overheating and thermal burn injury posed by one model of an external power bank with wireless charging function (power bank), and advised them to stop using the product. Photo shows the unsafe power bank concerned. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HA commences seasonal influenza vaccination programme

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

Public hospitals and outpatient clinics of the Hospital Authority (HA) will start providing seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible persons starting from September 17 (Thursday) to dovetail with the Government Vaccination Programme 2026/27 (see Annex 1).

Under the Government Vaccination Programme this year, the HA will mainly provide seasonal influenza vaccinations to eligible patients who have follow-up appointments at HA clinics or are admitted to public hospitals, including:

• Persons aged six months to under 18 years, and those aged 50 years or above;
• Pregnant women;
• Eligible persons with intellectual or physical disabilities;
• Persons aged 18 to 49 years with chronic medical problems; and
• Long-stay in-patients.

The list of public hospitals and outpatient clinics providing vaccinations is set out in Annex 2.

Eligible patients may receive vaccinations at their scheduled follow-up appointments at clinics. Patients with distant follow-up appointment dates may visit or contact the respective clinics for necessary arrangements. Individuals aged 18 or above should register with eHealth before receiving vaccinations.

An HA spokesperson appealed to members of the public to receive vaccinations early. "The influenza activity in Hong Kong has remained at a relatively high level, and the risk of influenza transmission will increase accordingly. High-risk individuals such as chronic disease patients, the elderly and children may develop severe complications after an influenza infection, leading to serious illness or death. Vaccinations can enhance immunity against influenza and greatly reduce the risk of serious illness and death from infection. The protection will last for at least six months, providing effective protection for members of the public. Since it takes about two to four weeks to develop antibodies after inoculation, the public is urged to receive flu jabs early to build up an immunity barrier for themselves."

In addition, poultry workers, pig farmers and people who are involved in the pig-slaughtering industry, as referred by relevant government departments, can also receive seasonal influenza vaccinations in selected Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) starting from October 8 (Thursday).

Members of the public can enquire about details of this year's seasonal influenza vaccination programme at the respective specialist outpatient clinics or FMCs they attend, or make enquiries via the HA hotline 2300 6555 during office hours.

Source: AI-found images