CPSC, Petters Consumer Brands LLC Announce Recall of Batteries Found In Polaroid Portable DVD Players

Name of Product: Battery packs used with Polaroid-brand portable DVD players

Units: About 165,000

Manufacturer/Importer: Petters Consumer Brands LLC, of Minnetonka, Minn.

Hazard: The battery can overheat and melt the plastic case while recharging, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Petters Consumer Brands has received eight reports of batteries overheating, melting the plastic case, or units smoking during the recharging process. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves external battery packs used with the Polaroid-brand portable DVD players in 7-inch and 8-inch screen sizes. The 7-inch DVD player has model number PDV-0700 and 8-inch player has a model number of PDV-0800. The players and battery packs are silver in color. The battery packs attach to the bottom of the DVD player and have the following serial numbers:

Sold at: Various electronics and department stores nationwide from May 2003 through March 2004 for between $150 and $350.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using and stop recharging the battery packs immediately and contact Petters Consumer Brands for a free replacement battery pack. Consumers can continue using the portable DVD player without the battery, by detaching it from the unit, and plugging in the DC Cord or the AC Power Adapter.

Consumer Contact: Consumers should contact Petters Consumer Brands toll-free at (866) 866-6292 anytime to arrange for a replacement battery pack, or visit the company's Web site at www.Polaroid.com to sign up for the recall.