by , 9:25 AM EDT, July 31st, 2006

Apple has started a battery exchange program for the 15-inch MacBook Pro. The program includes MacBook Pro purchases between February and May 2006. If your battery model number is A1175 and includes a 12-digit serial number that ends with U7SA, U7SB, or U7SC, Apple will replace your battery free of charge.

Remove the battery from your MacBook Pro to find the model and serial number.

Although Apple's Web site says that the batteries are still safe to use, defective batteries can pose a potential fire hazard. TMO spoke with representatives from Apple that confirmed the batteries in this recall do not pose any fire hazard or a safety risk.

When a company offers a battery exchange program, however, it's a good idea to take advantage of it. As a safety precaution, the batteries should be exchanged immediately.

Reports began surfacing in June that some MacBook Pro batteries were swelling. Many of those batteries exhibited symptoms like failure to charge or losing a charge prematurely.

Additional information about the exchange program is available at Apple's Web site.