Ikea Recalls Askstrom USB Charger Due to Risk of Burns & Electric Shock

If you’re an IKEA fan and often find yourself bringing home their furniture, accessories, or chargers, you’ll want to stay tuned to their latest update.

The global furniture giant, IKEA, has issued a warning for its ÅSKSTORM 40W USB charger in dark grey. 

In a media release dated Wednesday (10 January 2024), the company strongly advises all customers who own this particular product to stop its usage immediately and get in touch with IKEA for a complete refund.

Ikea Recalls Åskstrom USB Charger Due to Risk of Burns & Electric Shock

This recall is prompted by concerns about potential safety hazards, particularly “thermal burns and electric shock”, which can arise from wear and tear of the power cable. 

IKEA said that it is firmly committed to ensuring the safety of its customers. Despite the recall, fortunately, no incidents related to this issue have been reported in Singapore.

According to IKEA’s Singapore website, the power cable is susceptible to damage or breakage over time, especially when wrapped around the charger or bent frequently during extended use. 

If left unaddressed, this damaged cable can lead to the risk of thermal burns and electric shock. 

Despite their rigorous risk assessments and testing programs, IKEA recognised that prolonged use or bending of the power cable, particularly when wrapped around the charger, could result in damage or breakage, posing a potential safety hazard to users.

How to Identify ÅSKSTORM 40W USB Charger

To check if you own one of the affected ÅSKSTORM 40W USB chargers, simply look for the model number. 

You’ll find it as ICPSW5-40-1 on the charger’s reverse side label.

IKEA strongly advises all customers with this USB charger to discontinue its use immediately and return it to any IKEA store for a full refund. If you bought this product ages ago, you’re in luck, as no proof of purchase is necessary.

The online manual for the product emphasises the importance of never using a damaged or faulty USB cable for charging, as it can harm your device and damage the appliance itself. 

It further recommends users replace damaged cords with a new cord set type approved for their respective regions.

According to TODAY, a check on IKEA Singapore’s website reveals that listings for the USB model in question have been taken down.

They continue to offer a 23W version of the ÅSKSTORM USB charger in white, along with various other USB chargers.

While there have been no reported incidents in Singapore, it’s always better to be cautious when it comes to safety. 

If you have this product, it’s best to stop using it altogether to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to safety.