Fitbit recalls about 1.7 million smart Ionic watches sold worldwide because the fitness product’s lithium-ion battery can overheat, creating a risk of burns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
About 1 million of the recalled smartwatches were sold in the US at retail stores, including Best Buy, Kohl’s and Target, as well as online at Amazon.com and Fitbit.com from September 2017 to December 2021 for between 200 and $ 330 each. Fitbit stopped production of the Ionic in 2020. Another 693,000 were sold internationally, according to the company.
US Consumer Product Safety Committee
The San Francisco-based company has received at least 115 U.S. and 59 international reports of clock battery overheating, with 78 reports of burn injuries in the U.S. and 40 internationally, according to the recall announcement. These injuries include two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns.
Consumers were urged to stop using Ionic smartwatches and contact Fitbit to receive a prepaid package to return the device, for which they will be refunded $ 299, the notice said. Those returning Taiwanese products will also receive a 40% discount on other Fitbit devices.
The recall only applies to the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch, which is sold with a polyurethane belt and a 1.4-inch color LCD screen. The watches were released in blue slate / burnt orange, anthracite / smoky gray, blue gray / silver gray and a special edition with Adidas in blue / silver gray ink.
US Consumer Product Safety Committee
Used to monitor activity, heart rate and sleep, recalled watches include the following four model numbers: FB503CPBU, FB503GYBK, FB503WTGY and FB503WTNV.
Consumers can call Fitbit toll free at 888-925-1764 or contact the company electronically at help.fitbit.com/ionic. They can also visit www.fitbit.com and click on “Product Help” at the bottom of the page.
Wednesday’s recall comes eight years after Fitbit recalled the Fitbit Force Activity Monitor bracelet, after the company received about 9,900 reports of skin irritating bracelets and 250 reports of blisters.
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- PRODUCT WITHDRAWAL
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