FMCSA issues safety advisory on recalled Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones

Washington – An advisory from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration warns commercial motor vehicle drivers, passengers and carriers about the hazards of traveling with Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphones and other devices with defective lithium-ion batteries.

Nearly 2 million units have been recalled. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued one recall in September and a second one in October for the devices because their batteries pose a risk of overheating and catching fire. In the October recall, Samsung reported a total of 96 overheating incidents, with 13 reports of burns and 47 reports of property damage associated with the devices.

FMCSA advises taking the following precautions if you carry a lithium-ion battery-powered device with you on a CMV:

• Turn off the device.
• Disconnect the device from any equipment needed to charge it.
• Disable all applications that could inadvertently activate the phone.
• Protect the power switch to prevent unintentional activation.
• Keep the device in carry-on baggage or on your person.
• Do not place the device in an inaccessible baggage compartment.

The devices have been banned from all air travel in the United States by the Department of Transportation as of Oct. 15.