DELL RECALL of notebook batteries because of fire hazard

<br>DALLAS (AP) _ Dell Computer Corp. is recalling about 284,000 batteries used in its notebook computers because they can overheat and catch fire. <br><br>Dell and the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Thursday, May 3rd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DALLAS (AP) _ Dell Computer Corp. is recalling about 284,000 batteries used in its notebook computers because they can overheat and catch fire.

Dell and the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday the company had heard one report of a battery that caught fire, causing minor damage.

The recall covers batteries used in Inspiron 5000 and 5000e notebooks shipped to customers from Jan. 7, 2000, to March 21 of this year. Dell and its service providers also sold the batteries separately during the same time for $100 to $130.

The batteries were made in Japan by Panasonic, Dell spokesman Tom Kehoe said.

Dell said customers should remove the batteries from their notebooks and call the company.

The faulty batteries have a colored sticker with the letter P in the first line and an identification number containing either 99 or a number ranging up to 00 51.

In October, Dell recalled about 27,000 batteries used in notebook computers because of a similar fire hazard.