This wireless earbuds case can be a fire hazard — here's how to return it

This wireless earbuds case can be a fire hazard — here's how to return it

Owners of Audio-Technica's ATH-CK3TW wireless earphones should beware of the charging case.

The earphones themselves are safe, but the charging case is apparently prone to overheating; the CSPC recall page lists four instances where overheated cases have damaged themselves or the surface on which the case was placed.

While it does not sound like the ATH-CK3TW case is self-burning to the same degree as the infamous Samsung Galaxy Note 7, such electrical overheating is purely a fire hazard. Owners of these wireless earbuds should immediately stop using the charging case. Also, the Amazon listing for these earbuds has been removed.

The recall covers all four color variants and potentially defective cases can be replaced with new ones at no charge. To arrange a return, email Audio-Technica at [email protected] or call 800-518-2520 between 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Eligible customers will receive a pre-paid shipping label to return the original case, and upon receipt of the original case, a new, preferably fire-free case will be sent.

Recalls are thankfully rare in the tech industry, but even major companies sometimes have to request product returns to address defects. Besides the Galaxy Note 7 debacle, Apple has issued recalls for both the iPhone 8 and an older version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro. iPhone 8 "only" had an unstable motherboard that could cause performance issues, while the MacBook Pro had a battery turned out to be another potential cause of ignition.

It is good that the ATH-CK3TW wireless earbuds did not actually hurt anyone and caused only minor property damage, but like these recalls, it shows the importance of reporting potential problems quickly. Anyone can report unsafe products through the CSPC.

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