The warning by the independent government agency came a day after the US Federal Aviation Administration told passengers not to turn on or charge Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on aircraft due to the risk of batteries exploding.
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It is extremely unusual for the FAA to warn passengers about a specific product.
Local budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air has banned the use of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 during its flights, following global reports that the smartphone’s batteries exploded or caught fire.
Now the body has said it is working with the company to ensure official recall procedures are followed, but that users should turn off their Note 7s and not charge them at all.
In a statement posted September 10 on its website, Samsung asked users around the world to “immediately” return their existing Galaxy Note 7 and get a replacement.
Samsung is now undertaking a massive voluntary recall programme to replace all the 2.5 million devices sold since the Note 7’s launch in August.
Regional airline, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) has banned the in-flight use and charging of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smart phones on all fights. Shortly after Samsung announced a widespread recall of its latest phablet, its market value took a $7 billion nosedive.
A statement by Samsung, the world’s biggest mobile phone maker, said “our customers’ safety is an absolute priority”.
Airlines in the U.S. and India were also advised by their respective aviation watchdogs to impose a ban on using and charging the Note 7 on the flights.
South Korea made similar recommendations on Saturday.
The new and “safe” Galaxy Note 7 will have to be inspected and approved by the Consumer Protection Safety Comision in the states, and that means more wasted time.
Nearly all CPSC recalls are done voluntarily in conjunction with a company and the scope of any action on the Note 7 may be identical to what Samsung has already suggested to consumers.
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US TV channel Fox 10 reported claims that a faulty Galaxy Note 7 had set fire to a family’s Jeep.
