Batteries used in a range of Nokia handsets, from the 1100 to the latest E60, are at risk of overheating during charging. Of 300 million BL-5C batteries manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. for Nokia last year, 46 million belong to the dodgy batch.

One hundred incidents have already been reported, but none have resulted in explosions, fire, or even a burnt finger. However, Nokia has said if your phone has a BL-5C battery you should probably keep an eye on it when charging.

Or, visit Nokia's website and check your battery's serial number against a list of the dodgy ones. If it appears on the list, Nokia will provide a replacement free of charge. Which is nice.

Though the risk seems minimal, and Nokia is certainly playing down any danger, it's probably worth checking. ®

Related stories

• New Zealander's Nokia explodes (30 November 2007)
• Pentagon to hold event prior to battery tech prize (14 September 2007)
• Nokia beats out four music handsets (29 August 2007)
• Nokia battery recall to cost Matsushita up to $172m (24 August 2007)
• Sony scientists develop sugar-fuelled power pack (24 August 2007)
• Li-Ion battery design 'flawed' (22 August 2007)
• Time marches on to Nokia's latest handset (21 August 2007)
• Boffins build bendy paper battery (14 August 2007)
• Bomb squad disables suspect sex toy (30 May 2007)
• Apple releases MacBook battery update (27 April 2007)
• Hitachi recalls Sony laptop batteries (6 October 2006)
• Sony probes Los Angeles Airport laptop blaze (25 September 2006)
• Dell's 'Zippo' batteries may be in other machines (16 August 2006)
• Letters Laptop + bath = death? (23 April 2004)
• Dell laptop named in SA burns explosion (17 January 2003)