Apple recalling three-prong wall plug adapters used in UK, HK, Singapore

Apple is recalling an AC wall plug adapter mainly used in the U.K., Hong Kong, and Singapore, included with devices between 2003 and 2010, as well as in the company's Apple World Travel Adapter Kit.

From Apple:

Apple today announced a voluntary recall of AC wall plug adapters designed for use primarily in Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Kingdom. In very rare cases, affected Apple three-prong wall plug adapters may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched. These wall plug adapters shipped with Mac and certain iOS devices between 2003 and 2010 and were also included in the Apple World Travel Adapter Kit. Apple is aware of six incidents worldwide.The recall does not affect any Apple USB power adapters.Because customer safety is a top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using affected plug adapters. Customers should visit apple.com/support/three-prong-ac-wall-plug-adapter for details about how to exchange them for new adapters.An affected three-prong plug adapter is white, with no letters on the inside slot where it attaches to the main Apple power adapter. See website for more details and images to identify an affected adapter.

This is what the affected adapter looks like. Get it exchanged ASAP:

This is what the new, replacement adapter looks like. if you have this one, you're golden:

Note the thinner profile and the capsule-shaped indent along the side, which should help anyone with visual accessibility needs.

Sometimes when these things happen, some people decide to hang onto an affected unit in hopes it will somehow be cool or become a collector's item. Don't do that. Time passes. People forget. A family member or friend finds it and tries to use it. And if something happens, it's on you.

Six incidents worldwide aren't many when you look at Apple's customer base, but no one should willingly become the seventh.

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.