Amazon has been forced to recall more than half a million products from its online marketplace, most of which were Anker power banks after several of its products have once again exploded and caused injuries.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) confirmed the recalls in recent days, covering some of Amazon’s most widely purchased goods which also included portable fans and even kids’ helmets.

Around 480,000 Anker power banks (models A1647, A1652, A1257, A1618 and A1689) sold between January and July 2024 were pulled after 33 overheating and explosion incidents, with four people suffering burn injuries. Several Anker models are currently sold on JB Hi-Fi.

The other main recalls included IcyBreeze Buddy Portable Misting Fans, which saw more than 22,000 units sold since late 2023 recalled after seven overheating incidents, including two fires. Faulty lithium-ion batteries were again the culprit.

The CPSC stressed that many of the products posed risks of death or serious injury, particularly for infants and children.

These fans failed to chill…and sparked a few fires instead

Some 3,000 units of Youbeien Crib Mobiles were recalled after regulators found children could easily access button batteries inside the remote control, posing a life-threatening ingestion hazard.

Also recalled were 1,800 multi-purpose YooxArmor Kids’ Helmets which were found to lack proper impact protection and stability, failing federal bicycle helmet standards.

And finally, Chinese-made baby loungers and crib bumpers, sold from May to August this year, were deemed unsafe under the US Safe Sleep for Babies Act due to risks of suffocation, entrapment and falls. No injuries have been reported.

The recalls highlight the challenges online marketplaces face in policing the safety of imported goods.

Regulators say the sheer scale of Amazon’s platform means unsafe products can reach homes before they are flagged.

Amazon said in a statement it “proactively investigates and addresses reported safety complaints” and works with vendors to ensure affected products are removed and customers notified.