CPSC, Thomson Inc. Announce Recall of Portable DVD Player Batteries

Affected

Only batteries used with the RCA portable DVD players with model number DRC600N are being recalled. The DRC600N model DVD player with the battery attached is about 7½ inches wide, 5½ inches deep, and 2 inches high. The cabinet housing is plastic, except for a metal "skin" on the top of the player. The metal "skin" is silver colored, and the rest of the DVD player is tan or dark gray. The logo "RCA LiFE," along with the words "DVD VIDEO" are printed on the top of the DVD Player. The battery attaches to the bottom of the DVD player.

The file

Sold at

Electronic and department stores nationwide, from September 2002 through July 2003, for between $340 and $490.

Product type

Adapter/Power Supply/Charger/Battery

Made in

China

Recalled by

Thomson Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind.

Incident log

Thomson Inc. has received 11 reports of batteries overheating and five reports of batteries exploding. There are two reports of consumers suffering burned fingers from picking up a battery after it overheated.

What the notice says to do

Consumers should stop using and stop recharging the battery immediately and contact Thomson Inc. for a free replacement battery. The portable DVD player is not being recalled, and consumers can continue to use it without the battery, until they receive a replacement battery. The player can be used with the AC Power Adapter by simply unplugging the battery from the unit and plugging the AC Power Adapter into the 9-volt jack on the unit.

Contact Thomson Inc. at (866) 670-4844 anytime. Consumers also can contact the company by mail at Thomson Inc., RCA Portable DVD Battery Recall, P.O. Box 1976, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1976. Please do not send products or batteries to this address.