HP recalls 70,000 laptop batteries

Hewlett-Packard Co.has recalled lithium-ion batteries used in some of its laptops because of a potential fire hazard, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday.

The recall covers about 70,000 batteries used in the company's HP and Compaq-branded laptops, the CPSC said. Details on the models of HP and Compaq computers covered under the recall are available on the CPSC Web site.

HP was not immediately available for comment.

The recall follows two reports of batteries that overheated and ruptured, resulting in fire that caused minor property damage, CPSC said.

The laptops were sold in computer and electronics stores in the U.S. and HP online stores between August 2007 and March 2008. The battery packs were also sold separately.

The batteries were made in China, according to CPSC. The name of the manufacturer of the batteries was not disclosed.

The commission has instructed owners to immediately remove the recalled battery from their laptops and contact HP to determine if their battery is included in the recall and to request a free replacement battery. After removing the recalled battery from their notebook computer, consumers may use the AC adapter to power the computer until a replacement battery arrives, CPSC said.