Complaints of overheating, leading to possible fire and shock hazard, have prompted Microsoft to initiate a global voluntary recall of Surface Pro power cords.

Last week, the tech giant announced that it is recalling the AC power cords for a number of its Surface Pro devices. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the company received at least 56 reports of "the cords overheating and emitting flames." There were also five cases in which consumers received an electrical shock from the cord.

The commission said the affected AC power cords "lacked a 1/8-inch sleeve at the end of the cord that connects with the power supply."

A total of 2.25 million Surface Pro cords are being recalled in the United States. Microsoft is also recalling 190,000 cords in Canada.

In its website, the company said the recall affects power cords for the Microsoft Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 that were sold before March 15, 2015. Also, accessory power supply units that include an AC power cords and sold separately before March 15, 2015 were also being recalled.

Microsoft said it "will provide one AC power cord replacement free of charge for each eligible Surface Pro device... No proof of damage is required to receive a replacement AC power cord."

Microsoft's recall came in the heels of another tech giant's announcement that it is also taking back some of its AC wall plug adapters.

Last month, Apple announced that it is recalling the two prong wall plug adapters sold in Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina and Brazil between 2003 to 2015 with Mac and certain iOS devices, as well as with the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit, over concerns that it "may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched."

"We have voluntarily decided to exchange affected wall plug adapters with a new, redesigned adapter, free of charge," the company said in a statement.

Wall plug adapters that were designed for Canada, China, Hong Kong, Japan, United Kingdom and United States, and Apple USB power adapters are not affected by the exchange program.

By: DocMemory
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