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Apple to offer third-party charger trade-in after electrocution death

Apple to offer third-party charger trade-in after electrocution death

Following reports that a woman in China died when she answered her iPhone as it was charging, Apple is now offering a trade-in program worldwide that will let customers switch their third-party charger for an official Apple product.

Last month, Reuters reported that Apple planned to probe the death of a woman in China’s western Xinjiang region. According to reports, the flight attendant was charging her iPhone 5 using a third-party USB power adapter. She answered a phone call while it was plugged in, and was reportedly electrocuted and died from the incident.

In response, Apple will be allowing customers who have purchased third-party charging units to trade them in at their local Apple stores for $10 USD. In Canada, the official Apple power adapter normally costs $19.

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Dubbed the “USB Power Adapter Takeback Program,” Apple posted on its U.S. website that any customers who are concerned that their third-party power adapter may be a hazard can trade it in and receive an official one at the discounted rate. You can bring in your adapter to an Apple store any time between August 16 and October 18.

If you are unsure if your USB power adapter is an official one from Apple, you can visit this page which will help you identify it accurately.

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