Is Your AmazonBasics Surge Protector a Safety Hazard?

AmazonBasics brand offers consumers hundreds of useful items at lower prices than many popular brands, and much to the delight of thousands of customers around the world. Myriad products sold under Amazon’s label have made it to must-have and customer’s-favorite lists.

Recently though, some of AmazonBasics’ products have proven troublesome – some to a dangerous degree.

What Are AmazonBasics Products?

Lots of stores, even virtual ones, have private labels – brands that are sold exclusively in that store. Sometimes they’re just referred to as “store brands” or “house brands.” Often those private labels are owed by the store itself or its parent company.

AmazonBasics is Amazon.com’s private label.

It was started in 2009 with mostly electronics accessories such as power cables, adapters and battery packs, but in true Amazon fashion, what started out small has grown exponentially. Today, the AmazonBasics brand “has grown into a full-on emporium—a microcosm of Amazon’s entire inventory, albeit, offering much better value,” Readers’ Digest says. It offers everything from bedding to t-shirts, dinnerware to watch bands, smart phone chargers to backpacks.

“AmazonBasics starts with the same premise as most private labels: they can skip the expensive packaging and advertising and allow the house brand name to speak for itself,” credit expert Brittney Mayer of cardrates.com was quoted in Reader’s Digest as saying. The company chooses which items to produce under the AmazonBasics banner according to customer demand, which it tracks on its own platform.

According to the New York Times’ tech blog Wirecutter, AmazonBasics “products now regularly top the best-seller lists in many categories, such as lightning cables, laptop sleeves and hangers.”

Is the AmazonBasics Surge Protector a Safety Hazard?

CNN recently reported on a number of troublesome AmazonBasics products, including an AmazonBasics surge protector that “turned into a ‘blowtorch,’ …  flames shot out of the device.” One person found the item so dangerous the individual reported it to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, saying it “made a loud popping noise, sparked, and the case was opened by the force of the damage,” CNN reported.

Amazon told CNN the product, which was selling for $10.99, was safe, but it has since stopped selling it.

What Do AmazonBasics Surge Protector Reviews Say?

The approximately 2,600 customer reviews posted on Amazon about the AmazonBasics surge protector that reportedly caught fire and otherwise malfunctioned for many buyers included stories of dangerous experiences and frightening defects. Some also included photos.

“More than 40 customers reported that the product was a fire hazard, had caused damage to their home or belongings or described other dangers,” CNN reported. “Several included claims of flames and fires.”

One man who purchased an AmazonBasics surge protector said in January 2018 it caught fire while a single mobile phone charger was plugged into it, but the charger was not in use. Matt Citro told CNN he noticed flames coming out of the device to the extent he said it looked like a blowtorch.

Although he was able to quickly pull the surge protector out of the wall socket because he happened to be in the right place at the right time when the fire started, the spontaneous combustion ended up causing more than $1,000 worth of damage to Citro’s home. It “burned a hole in the wall outlet and seared part of his wall,” CNN reported.

“DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!!” Citro’s product review said.

After contacting Amazon to report the problem, the company first offered him a refund. Citro said he was not satisfied and continued contacting the company’s customer service department until Amazon put him in touch with the company’s insurance carrier, which negotiated a $1,469 settlement with him. Amazon did not accept any liability in the fire.

In another customer review reported by CNN, the AmazonBasics surge protector was said to be “DANGEROUS!!!!! Burnt a hole through the back of the casing an even damaged the plug cover upon first use within less than five minutes. Had one USB cable and one ordinary plug in it at the time so not even the full load.”

The AmazonBasics surge protector in question was eventually taken down from Amazon, but an official recall has not been issued. Other models of AmazonBasics surge protector and other items that customers have said caught fire are still for sale, according to a story published by The Verge.

Can You File an AmazonBasics Class Action Lawsuit?

Customers who purchased an AmazonBasics surge protector that ignited or sparked a fire might have grounds to pursue a class action lawsuit, or join a class action lawsuit against Amazon. Litigation can be complicated and fraught with peril if not handled properly. Top Class Action can help by putting consumers together with qualified, experienced consumer product safety litigators.

Free AmazonBasics Product Fire Class Action Lawsuit Evaluation

Did you purchase any of the following AmazonBasics products?

• Surge Protectors
• Charging Cables and Cords
• Kitchen Appliances

Product defect attorneys are currently seeking consumers nationwide—with an added emphasis on those in California, Illinois, New York, and Florida—who have purchased AmazonBasics products from the above-mentioned categories to join as potential plaintiffs on this case.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.