Fitbit launched its Ionic smartwatch way back in 2017, offering health tracking features with a price tag of $299. Since then, the company has launched multiple other wearables and was also acquired by Google in 2021. Today, Fitbit has issued a public notice recalling its Ionic smartwatches due to reports of burn injuries from overheating batteries.
In a dedicated FAQs page on its website, Fitbit has stated that following a notice from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commissions (CPSC) about burn hazards posed by the Fitbit Ionic, it is recalling its discontinued smartwatch. The CPSC claims that out of the one million Ionic wearables sold in the U.S. and 693,000 sold internationally, Fitbit received 115 U.S. and 59 international reports of overheating batteries. In the same vein, 78 burn injuries were reported in the U.S. while 40 also came from overseas.
Although a figure of around 150 burn injuries may seem small in context of 1.7 million Ionic units being sold, Fitbit claims that it is initiating the recall "out of an abundance of caution for our users".
The CPSC states that Ionic customers will be issued a full $299 refund if they provide a receipt of their purchase and Fitbit will also offer a 40% discount code on the company's select products for a limited time. Those interested in initiating the refund process should head over to the dedicated page here. Fitbit has cautioned that people who still use Ionic should stop doing so immediately, and if they can't return it for a refund due to any reason, they should recycle and dispose off of it according to the guidance detailed here.
Update: In a statement to Neowin, a Fitbit spokesperson that the following to say regarding the matter:
Customer safety is always Fitbit’s top priority and out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a voluntary recall of Fitbit Ionic smartwatches. We received a very limited number of injury reports - the totals in the CPSC announcement represent less than 0.01% of units sold - of the battery in Fitbit Ionic smartwatches overheating, posing a burn hazard. These incidents are very rare and this voluntary recall does not impact other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers.
As a reminder, you can head over to the dedicated page here to initiate a refund if you're the owner of a Fitbit Ionic device.
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