Home-security startup Ring recalls doorbells that can catch on fire

The camera-equipped doorbells' batteries can overheat if the wrong screws are used to mount them, the Amazon-owned company said in a recall notice.

Home-security startup Ring is recalling about 350,000 video doorbells that could catch on fire if they’re not installed properly.

The camera-equipped doorbells’ batteries can overheat if the wrong screws are used to mount them, the Amazon-owned company said in a recall notice filed with the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Ring has received 23 reports of these second-generation doorbells actually igniting and causing minor property damage, along with eight reports of “minor burns,” according to the Tuesday notice.

California-based Ring says customers who bought one of the doorbells — which were sold from June through October of this year for about $100 — just need to install them correctly rather than return them.

The company recommends following the revised installation instructions it has posted on its website, which warn that securing the doorbell to its bracket with any screws other than the included “short security screws” could damage the battery.

“If the doorbell is installed correctly, there is no risk to consumers or potential hazard present,” Ring said on its website.

Ring didn’t say exactly what someone should do if they’ve installed a doorbell incorrectly or had the battery overheat. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday morning.

Ring’s video doorbells capture footage of visitors to the home that can be beamed to the user’s smartphone. In September, Amazon unveiled a futuristic Ring drone camera that flies around inside the user’s house.

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