The burns are caused by the lithium-ion battery in the Ionic smartwatch, which can overheat, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fitbit has received at least 115 reports in the United States and 59 reports internationally that the battery in the watch overheated, with 78 reports of burn injuries in the United States and 40 reports of burn injuries internationally. “The incidents are very rare, and this voluntary recall does not impact other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers,” said Fitbit in a statement to Reuters. The company announced the recall on March 2. The watch has a polyurethane band and a 1.4-inch color LCD display screen that can display information about activity, heart rate, and sleep. The model number (FB503) is on the back of the device near where the band attaches. The recall only involves the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch, which the company introduced in 2017 and stopped producing in 2020, according to Fitbit; one million of the devices were sold for $200 to $330 in retail stores across the country, including Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Target. Owners of the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch should contact Fitbit through its website or call 888-925-1764 to receive instructions on how to return the watch for a $299 refund. Owners of the defective watch can also receive access to a special discount on select Fitbit devices, bands, and services for a limited time.
