Kyocera Smartphone batteries recalled because of burn hazard

Friday, January 23rd 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Kyocera Wireless Corp. recalled approximately 140,000 batteries in its Smartphone cell phones on Friday because the batteries can short-circuit or erupt with force and heat, posing a burn hazard to users.

Kyocera has received four reports of battery failures, and one report of a burn caused by a cell phone overheating and bursting in the user's pocket, according to Scott Wolfson, spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The recalled batteries are included in Kyocera model 7135 Smartphone cell phones. The black and silver flip-up phones say ``Kyocera'' at the top of the screen. The recalled batteries have the red and white Kyocera logo printed on the front and a product code ending in -05 printed on the underside.

Phones with the -05 batteries were sold at Verizon Wireless, US Cellular and ALLTEL Corporation stores, on the Kyocera Web site and through telemarketing retailers nationwide between September and December. The phones sold for about $500. The batteries sold separately for about $21.

Consumers are advised to stop using the cell phone batteries immediately. Once removed, the batteries should be stored away from flammable materials. Kyocera will contact consumers to arrange for the delivery of a free replacement battery. If consumers have not been contacted by the company by Feb. 6, they should call Kyocera to get a replacement.

Kyocera can be reached toll-free at 1-800-349-4478 between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday. Information is also posted on the company's Web site at www.kyocera-wireless.com.

Wolfson also urged cell phone users not to keep their phones in the same pocket as their keys and other metal objects that can cause a short circuit.

The batteries were manufactured for Kyocera by Coslight International Group, of Hong Kong.