Overcharging Batteries

Can Lead To Fire

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — As a warning against overcharging toys with lithium batteries, a government safety agency said Tuesday there have been dozens of recent reports of remote-controlled helicopters catching fire while being charged.

Rechargeable lithium batteries are increasingly used in toys, but overcharging the batteries, which hold lots of energy in a small package, can result in overheating, fire, or an explosion, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Citing incidents of minor burns and minor property damage, the agency said there have been 26 reports since November 2007 of remote-controlled helicopters igniting while being charged and one report of a toy helicopter igniting during flight.

One of the toy’s importers, Soft Air USA Inc of Grapevine, Texas, announced Tuesday it was recalling 30,000 remote-controlled Fun2Fly Microcopter toys, made in China, because its batteries can catch fire during charging, posing a fire or burn hazard to consumers. The company had received six reports of helicopters catching fire, including one resulting in a minor injury.