Recall alert: 350K video doorbells are a potential fire hazard

November 12, 2020

By Kim Komando

Ring video doorbells are the latest gadget to be recalled for fire safety. In a notice filed with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, users are warned that incorrectly installing the doorbell can lead to overheating and burns.

Unlike with other safety recalls, the manufacturer isn’t asking for customers to return their devices. Instead, it’s urging users to follow its updated instruction manual to install the doorbell correctly. Tap or click here to see even more new CPSC recalls.

If you own an affected device, check to make sure you set it up correctly. You might have a fire hazard on your hands.

These Ring video doorbells might overheat if they were set up improperly

Ring, the home security startup owned by Amazon, filed an urgent notice with the CPSC after receiving 23 reports of its video doorbells catching fire and damaging property. The company also received eight reports of minor burns caused by overheating devices.

The issue affects 350,000 second-generation video doorbells sold from June through October of 2020. The devices themselves are not defective, but mounting them with any screws other than the short security screws included with the product could damage the battery.

Per the recall notice, Ring isn’t offering refunds or urging returns at this time. Instead, users should follow the company’s updated instruction manual to install the affected devices safely.

Related: Tap or click here to see which AmazonBasics products are reportedly catching fire.

Is my Ring doorbell included in the recall?

To determine if your Ring doorbell is included in the recall, visit Ring’s support website here and look up your device’s serial number. You can find the serial number on the back of the doorbell itself or the back of the box it came in.

Ring has also reached out to customers that purchased affected devices, so check your inbox to see if you received an email with more details.

If your serial number is included in the recall, uninstall your video doorbell and follow the updated instructions from start to finish to set it back up. Again, you should only use the screws that come with the doorbell. Do not use third-party screws or screws of a different length.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to use a different video doorbell brand, we recommend our sponsor, SimpliSafe.

SimpliSafe’s Doorbell Pro SS3 was included in a “Consumer Reports” study on security and data privacy for video doorbells. It received a rating of “very good” compared to other models, and it includes two-factor authentication, which is critical for protecting your data.

SimpliSafe includes cameras, motion detectors and a video doorbell in one complete home security package. Visit SimpliSafeKim.com today for a special offer just for you!