Fitbit Ionic smartwatch recalled globally at burn risk

A US regulator said on Wednesday that the Fitbit Ionic has been recalled by the Google-owned company due to overheating issues that could potentially pose a burn risk. The recall decision comes after Fitbit received more than 100 reports of burn injuries caused by smartwatch overheating. Launched back in September 2017, the Fitbit Ionic offered features including activity tracking as well as heart and sleep monitoring. About one million units of the Ionic smartwatch were sold in the US as of December 2021, with an additional 693,000 sold globally, including in India.

as a result of recollection, Fitbit Once the owners return their Ionic watch to the company, it will issue a refund of $299 (approximately Rs.22,700). It will also offer consumers a US Consumer Product Safety Commission, discount code to give consumers 40 percent off select Fitbit devices famous in its announcement.

The US commission said Fitbit received at least 174 reports of the watch overheating, including 118 reports of burns, including two cases of third-degree burns and four cases of second-degree burns.

“We received a very limited number of reports – representing less than 0.01 percent of the total units sold in the US regulatory announcement – ​​of batteries. fitbit ionic Smartwatches pose a risk of overheating, burns,” Fitbit said in a statement emailed to Gadgets 360.

The company said the recall had no effect on other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers.

Fitbit ceased production of the Ionic in 2020. smartwatch was launched In India Rs. 22,990 in January 2018.

Gadgets 360 asked Fitbit to confirm how Indian consumers can avail the refund. However, the company has not yet responded to this.

The recall is limited to four variants of the Fitbit Ionic with the following model numbers: FB503CPBU, FB503GYBK, FB503WTGY and FB503WTNV.

Eligible consumers in the US can proceed for a refund by contacting the Fitbit helpline at 888-925-1764 or by visiting the support section on the company’s website.

User Reports on the Fitbit Community Forums suggest Overheating Problems With That Ionic Clock Started to emerge shortly after launch in 2017.

“Today my Fitbit Ionic burned my wrist. I noticed I had a stinging feeling,” one of the affected users said In forum post.

This especially isn’t the first time Fitbit is recalling one of its popular wearables. In 2014, the company Remembered that Its Force wristbands after experiencing complaints of skin rashes and irritation. fitbit too avoid to remember Flex Despite reports of similar skin irritation, the wristband and said it made some adjustments and warned that it could cause allergic reactions to nickel.