SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 7 SMARTPHONES BANNED ON AIRPLANES

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East County News Service

October 16, 2016 (San Diego) – Effective immediately, all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smart phones are banned on all flights to, in, or from the United States due to the risk of explosions.  The ban includes carry-ons, checked baggage, and shipping as air freight.

The order applies to all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smart phones, even ones replaced after a recall, since some replacements have been found to be at risk of fires, too.  Anyone attempting to bring one of the phones on board a plane could face criminal prosecution, fines, and seizure of the phone

The order was issued jointly by the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S.  Department of Transportation, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx says safety of people aboard planes must take priority over passengers’ inconvenience.  He adds, “Even one fire incident in flight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk.”

Samsung has announced it will halt manufacturing of the Note 7.

Some airlines including Delta, Alaska and Virgin America have added extra fire equipment in cargo holds and passenger cabins, including fire-resistant containment bags due to the risks posed by exploding phones and other items with lithium-ion batteries linked to fires.

Also in the past week, reports have surfaced of numerous explosions including Samsung washing machines which thus far the company has refused to recall.

Japan has also barred all Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones from airplanes, mirroring moves by U.S. regulators and a string of international carriers to ban the recalled devices over fire risk concerns.



 


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