Reece suffered gruesome and life-changing injuries after a popular charging device exploded in the middle of the night. This is his urgent plea to Aussies
A young Aussie has warned about the dangers of a popular charging device after he spent two weeks in hospital recovering from gruesome burns after it exploded in the middle of the night.
A young Aussie who suffered gruesome and life-altering injuries after his wireless power bank exploded in the middle of the night has issued a stark warning.
Reece Walker bought a Cygnett MagSafe wireless dual power bank from Harvey Norman Bairnsdale in Victoria's Gippsland region in December 2023.
Three months later, the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued an urgent recall, warning the device was a fire hazard.
But Mr Walker was unaware of the recall when his power bank burst into flames while he was asleep at a youth camp in July 2024.
He suffered gruesome burns to the backs of his legs, arms and hands and spent two weeks in hospital recovering from his injuries.
He will never forget waking up on fire and then the excruciating pain of standing under a cold shower for 40 minutes while waiting for paramedics.
'They said I would have to lose my dignity as they cut off my boxer shorts which were burnt to my skin,' Mr Walker told Daily Mail.
He was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, where he spent two weeks undergoing surgery and multiple skin grafts.
Reece shared his traumatic ordeal to warn Aussies about the dangers of power banks
Reece is now speaking out about the dangers of power banks. Pictured is the recalled Cygnett MagSafe power bank
He spent two weeks in hospital recovering from serious burns caused by a power bank
Almost 18 months later, Mr Walker still suffers flashbacks and hasn't worked since.
He still experiences pain from the scars and is triggered by the smell of smoke.
'I still have trouble sleeping and wake up thinking it's happening all over again. I had to quit my job as a cook at McDonald's because of the trauma,' he said.
He only learned of the recall after his mother contacted Harvey Norman to report his injuries and is yet to receive an apology or an explanation for the delay.
Mr Walker has launched legal action against Harvey Norman and Cygnett, determined to prevent anyone else from enduring the same ordeal.
'I want to make sure it never happens again,' he said. 'There needs to be consequences for what happened. I haven't been in a Harvey Norman store since.'
Mr Walker also shared a message with Aussies about the dangers of power banks.
'Be very careful,' he warned. 'I will never use one again as I don't trust them or anything else that comes with a lithium battery.'
'I still have trouble sleeping and wake up thinking it's happening all over again,' Reece (pictured) told Daily Mail
Reece underwent surgeries and multiple skin grafts after his power bank exploded
Reece woke up in flames after his power bank exploded