HP Recalls More Batteries That Pose a Fire Hazard

Hewlett-Packard has extended a worldwide recall program for batteries that could cause laptops to overheat and pose a fire hazard.

The company on Wednesday said it added new battery models to an original laptop recall program announced May 14 of last year and updated last October. The lithium-ion batteries are being used in more than 30 models worldwide in HP's laptop brands including Compaq Presario, Pavilion, HP and HP Compaq.

In a statement warning about the hazardous batteries, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advised users to "stop using recalled products immediately."

HP and CPSC were aware of two incidents where the batteries overheated, resulting in flames and fire that caused property damage, the agency said. No injuries were reported.

The battery packs may have shipped in laptops manufactured between August 2007 and May 2008. HP assumes that "less than 3 percent" of the laptops contained the affected battery packs.

Users can verify whether a battery is eligible for replacement on HP's Web site. The laptop batteries will be replaced free, HP said.