Elderly Woman Dies After Power Bank Exploded on Lap While She Charged Her Cellphone

A major recall has been reissued after a 75-year-old woman died from injuries she suffered when a portable phone charger exploded in her lap.

Officials are warning consumers to immediately stop using certain Casely Power Pods after hundreds of thousands of the devices were recalled over serious fire and burn risks.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said about 429,200 Casely Power Pods, model E33A, are included in the recall because the lithium-ion batteries can overheat, ignite, and create a risk of serious injury or death.

“The recalled lithium-ion battery in the power banks can overheat and ignite,” the agency said in a joint announcement with Casely.

The recall was first announced in April 2025 after Casely received 51 reports from customers saying the battery overheated, expanded, or caught fire while charging phones. Six people reported minor burn injuries at the time.

But officials have now reissued the warning after more incidents came in, including one fatal case.

According to the CPSC, a 75-year-old woman in New Jersey had the power bank in her lap in August 2024 while using it to charge her cellphone. The charger exploded and caught fire, leaving her with second- and third-degree burns.

She later died from complications connected to her injuries, officials said.

Another frightening incident reportedly happened this past February, when a 47-year-old woman was using the power bank to charge her phone on an airplane. The device exploded and left her with first-degree burns, according to the CPSC.

The recalled product is the Casely Power Pods 5000mAh portable MagSafe wireless phone charger. The model number E33A is printed on the back, and the word “Casely” is engraved on the front right side.

The chargers were sold for about $30 to $70 on Casely’s website, Amazon, and other online retailers between March 2022 and September 2024.

Casely said it is reannouncing the voluntary recall in cooperation with the CPSC and urged customers with the recalled model to stop using it immediately.

“We are deeply saddened by the reported incident referenced in the CPSC notice and extend our deepest sympathies to those affected,” the company said in a statement.

Casely said it is continuing to cooperate with federal officials and is offering customers a free replacement.

Consumers are also being warned not to throw the recalled chargers in the trash or regular recycling.

The CPSC said recalled lithium-ion batteries must be handled differently because they can pose a greater fire risk. The agency advised people to contact a local household hazardous waste collection center to see whether it accepts the recalled battery or device.

If the local center does not accept lithium-ion batteries, consumers should contact their municipality for guidance.

For anyone who owns one of these chargers, officials say the message is simple: stop using it now.