If you have this Ring Video Doorbell, it’s called to start fires – BGR

• Ring issued a recall notice for 2nd Generation Video Bell due to fear that it could cause a fire or burn.
• The problem is related to incorrect screws being used during installation which could cause the battery to overheat and fail.
• Visit the official recall page to learn more.

Ring has truly become the go-to solution when it comes to DIY home security. The company started out small but has thrived in recent years thanks to Amazon. The company has sold an absolutely astonishing number of video doorbells to clients across the country, and they’re so prevalent that law enforcement agencies are rushing the possibility that footage gathered from those cameras will be used to get an inside look at what’s happening in neighborhoods from coast to coast.

Unfortunately, when you mass-produce complex electronics in the millions, the chances of errors increase exponentially, and it appears that there are a large number of second-generation Ring video doorbells that carry very high safety risks.

According to a publication by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 350,000 video doorbells were sold with a battery that would likely overheat and eventually malfunction if the user installed the doorbell with “the wrong screws.” If this happens, the battery may already cause a fire, and that’s bad news when we’re talking about a gadget installed on the outside of your home.

From the official summons posted by Ring:

This recall includes Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation), Model # 5UM5E5 smart doorbell cameras. Video doorbells have a blue ring at the front and come in two colors: Satin Nickel (black and silver) and Venetian Bronze (black and bronze). Sold with mounting bracket and USB charging cable. Two-way audio doorbell can be wired or battery powered and support night vision. Ring logo printed on the front bottom of the doorbell, model and S / N on sticker on the back of the doorbell and outer package.

Interestingly, Ring blames the need for recall on poorly worded or incorrect instructions included with the product’s packaging. It appears that the instructions may not clarify which screws to use during certain parts of installation, resulting in the consumer potentially using the wrong screws and putting the battery at risk of failure and causing a fire.

According to Ring, the company has so far received “85 reports of incorrect doorbell bolts installed with 23 of those bells igniting, resulting in minor property damage”. Additionally, Ring says, “The company received eight reports of minor burns.”

The company filed an official statement:

The safety of our customers is our top priority. We have been working cooperatively with CPSC on this issue, and have contacted customers who have purchased Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) to make sure they have the updated user manual and follow the device installation instructions. Clients do not need to return their devices.

If you have a second generation video doorbell, keep checking the official recall page and see if your device’s serial number matches the one that is called. If so, you may contact the company to obtain a replacement depending on the circumstances.