Popular smartwatches are recalled in the US: devices can cause hand burns

Fitbit is recalling about 1,7 million Ionic smartwatches sold worldwide because the fitness product's lithium-ion battery can overheat, creating a burn hazard, reports CBS.

Photo: Shutterstock

Approximately 1 million recalled smartwatches were sold in the US at retailers including Best Buy, Kohl's and Target, as well as online at Amazon.com and Fitbit.com from September 2017 to December 2021, priced between $200 and $330 per piece. Fitbit stopped making the Ionic in 2020. Another 693 have been sold internationally, according to the company.

According to the recall notice, the San Francisco-based company received at least 115 reports in the US and 59 reports from other countries about overheated watch batteries, including 78 reports of burns in the US and 40 reports worldwide. These injuries include two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns.

Consumers have been urged to stop using their Ionic smartwatch and contact Fitbit to receive a prepaid package to return the device, for which they will be refunded $299, the notice said. Those who return Taiwanese-made products will also receive a 40% discount code on other Fitbit devices.

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The recall only applies to Fitbit Ionic smartwatches, which are sold with a PU strap and a 1,4-inch LCD color screen. The watch was available in Slate Blue/Bright Orange, Charcoal Smoke Gray, Blue Grey/Silver Grey, and a special Adidas-branded Ink Blue/Silver Grey.

Used for activity, heart rate and sleep tracking, the 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 online at help.fitbit.com/ionic. They can also visit www.fitbit.com and click "Product Help" at the bottom of the page.

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The recall comes eight years after Fitbit recalled its Fitbit Force activity tracking band - the company received about 9900 reports of skin irritation from the band and 250 reports of blisters.

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