Dell and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) have announced a worldwide recall of about 35,000 notebook batteries that could potentially pose a fire risk.

No injuries have been reported from the faulty batteries. Dell has received three reports of damage to table tops and desks as a result of the problem, it said in a joint news release Friday with the CPSC.

Although 22,000 of the batteries were sold in the U.S, a Dell Australia spokeperson could not comment on the number of Australian units affected.

The recall affects certain Dell notebooks sold between Oct. 5, 2004, and Oct. 13, 2005. Customers who purchased the following models are advised to visit a Web site (http://www.dellbatteryprogram.com) to check whether they need a new battery: Latitude models D410, D505, D510, D600, D610, D800, D810; Inspiron models 510M, 600M, 6000, 8600, 9200, 9300, the XPS Generation 2 notebook; and Precision M20 and M70 mobile workstations. The batteries were also sold on their own and provided as part of service replacements, Dell said.

Australian customers can call 1300 734 947 toll free to determine whether their notebooks have the affected batteries. Users should have the identification number stamped on the back of the battery written down before they call or visit Dell's site, the company said.

Dell will replace all the affected batteries for free, it said.