Fitbit smartwatch recalled due to overheating battery that can burn users
An immediate recall is in order for a particular Fitbit smartwatch model after reports of the battery overheating to hazardous levels that could cause burns.
The model in question is the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch and fitness-oriented tracker, which launched in 2017.
In the US, Fitbit LLC received 115 complaints about the issue. As of February 15, Fitbit had received no reports about a malfunction as such in Canada, but Fitbit did report that approximately 70,561 affected units have been sold in the country.
Dedi Grigoroiu/Shutterstock
- You might also like:
- Anthropologie candles recalled over risk they'll break apart and start a fire
- "It's the right thing to do": Toronto tech firm switches to four-day work week
The watch is powered by a lithium-ion battery that lasts four days. Complete with a 1.4-inch LCD colour display, it has a polyurethane band that’s adjustable to accommodate different wrist sizes.
They come in colours such as charcoal, smoke grey, slate blue, and, ironically, burnt orange. Special edition Ionic Adidas watches come in ink blue and ice grey/silver.
Health Canada is asking consumers to stop using the recalled Ionic smartwatch immediately and get in touch with Fitbit to get a refund, and warning that the product should not be redistributed, sold, or even given away in the country, as the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits such actions.
All sales of the watch were made between 2017 and 2020, so if you’ve had yours for years, you’re still eligible for a refund.
“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,” a Fitbit spokesperson told Daily Hive in an email, adding that they had received a very limited number of injury reports, and the numbers in the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s announcement represent less than 0.01% of the particular models sold. “These incidents are very rare and this voluntary recall does not impact other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers.”
For more details on the model, check out Health Canada’s specifications here, along with further details about the recall.