They’re a hot new item, these video doorbells. Unfortunately, the heat can be a problem.
Home-security startup Ring, a California company owned by Amazon, is recalling about 350,000 video doorbells that could catch fire if not installed properly.
When operating properly, Ring’s video doorbells capture visitor footage that can be sent to the user’s smartphone.
The problem concerned installing the doorbells with the wrong screws, the company said in a recall notice filed with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“Ring has received 85 incident reports of incorrect doorbell screws installed, with 23 of those doorbells igniting, resulting in minor property damage,” the recall says. “The firm has received eight reports of minor burns.”
Ring says on its website that “if the doorbell is installed correctly, there is no risk to consumers or potential hazard present.” No other models are affected.
The doorbells in the recall have a blue ring at the front and come in two colors, “satin nickel” (black and silver) and “venetian bronze” (black and bronze), Fox Business reports. The model number 5UM5E5 is displayed on the outer packaging and on the device itself, which was sold at electronics and home-goods stores nationwide from June through October 2020 for about $100.
The recalled model also was sold at Amazon.com and Ring.com and includes a mounting bracket and a USB charging cable. The two-way audio doorbell can be hardwired or battery-powered and supports night vision.
“The safety of our customers is our top priority,” a Ring spokesperson told Fox Business in a statement. “We have and continue to work cooperatively with the CPSC on this issue, and have contacted customers who purchased a Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) to ensure they received the updated user manual and follow the device installation instructions. Customers do not need to return their devices.”
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