September 15, 2026 — A serious safety incident involving a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera has been reported, highlighting potential hazards with lithium-ion batteries. The incident details a severely bloated and overheating battery that ultimately combusted, resulting in mild burns and smoke inhalation for the consumer.
Product Details
Product: DJI Osmo Pocket 3
Incident Overview
On August 24, 2026, a consumer reported waking up to find their DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera with a severely bloated and overheating battery while it was charging. The pressure from the swelling battery was significant enough to pop open the camera body. Upon the consumer’s attempt to remove the compromised battery from the device, it unraveled and immediately combusted, emitting a substantial amount of heavy smoke.
A subsequent verification on September 3, 2026, confirmed that the incident resulted in mild injuries. The consumer sustained mild burns on their hands during the event, and also experienced a headache attributed to the inhalation of the battery smoke.
Safety Concerns
This incident with the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 points to several critical safety concerns associated with defective or damaged lithium-ion batteries, particularly when charging:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is thermal runaway, where the battery rapidly heats up, swells (bloats), and can lead to combustion or explosion. This poses a direct risk of fire, severe burns, and respiratory distress from smoke inhalation, as seen in this incident. The rapid and unpredictable nature of such an event leaves little time for safe intervention.
- Long-Term Risks: Beyond immediate injuries, exposure to battery smoke can lead to respiratory irritation and potential long-term health effects, depending on the chemical composition of the smoke and the duration of exposure. Burn injuries, even mild ones, can require medical attention and may lead to scarring.
- Who Might Be Affected: Consumers using the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, particularly those who charge their devices unsupervised or overnight, are at risk. Children or pets in the vicinity of an overheating or combusting device are also vulnerable to burns and smoke inhalation.
- Property Damage Potential: A combusting battery can quickly ignite nearby flammable materials, leading to significant property damage. In this case, the incident occurred while the device was charging, often near bedding, furniture, or other electronics, increasing the risk of a house fire. The internal damage to the camera itself is also a form of property loss.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 or any device with a lithium-ion battery, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs of a failing battery and take appropriate precautions:
- Immediate Steps to Take:
- Do NOT attempt to handle an overheating or bloated battery directly with bare hands. If possible and safe, disconnect the power source immediately.
- Evacuate the area if smoke or flames are present and call emergency services (e.g., fire department).
- If you have sustained burns or inhaled smoke, seek medical attention promptly.
- How to Check if You Own the Affected Product: Confirm your device is a DJI Osmo Pocket 3. While this incident is specific, all lithium-ion batteries carry some inherent risk, and vigilance is key.
- Prevention Measures:
- Always use the manufacturer-provided charger and cable. Avoid third-party accessories that may not meet safety standards.
- Avoid overcharging by unplugging devices once fully charged, especially overnight or when unsupervised.
- Charge devices on a hard, non-flammable surface, away from bedding, upholstered furniture, or other flammable materials.
- Regularly inspect your device and battery for any signs of damage, swelling, excessive heat, or strange odors. If you notice any of these, discontinue use immediately.
- Never puncture, disassemble, or expose batteries to extreme temperatures.
- Properly dispose of damaged or old batteries at designated recycling centers.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident or discover a defective product, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov. This helps authorities track incidents and issue recalls when necessary.
Manufacturer’s Response
No manufacturer response has been provided in the incident report.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
Licensed to practice law ONLY in California.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.