Today, Fitbit announced that it would be recalling around 1.7 million Ionic smartwatches due to the fact that there is a risk of burns. Users are eligible to receive a full refund and a discount on any additional purchases they may make during their subscription period.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has previously delivered its statement, which led to this development. It would appear that it has been found that the lithium-ion battery that is included within the gadget can, under some conditions, overheat, which can create a risk of being burned.
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There were 78 complaints of burn injuries in the United States, and there were 40 reports of burn injuries from across the world. Only a tiny percentage of them were responsible for the third- and fourth-degree burns that were experienced. In point of fact, Fitbit has received 115 reports in the United States of precisely such an incidence taking place, in addition to 59 reports received from other countries.
It is estimated that around one million of the 1.7 million Fitbit Ionics that have been affected by this issue are now being used in the United States. Users of the recalled Ionics have been advised by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission to immediately stop using the product and get in touch with Fitbit to obtain pre-paid packaging for returning the product. The customer will receive a refund of $299 from Fitbit after the company has received the returned item. This advice was issued by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In addition to this, the company will provide those who have been adversely affected with a discount code that would allow them to save forty percent on select Fitbit items. You will have a period of time of ninety days to take advantage of this offer after you have registered for your refund.
It would appear that the vast majority of Ionic models are impacted. However, this issue does not appear to touch every single one. The most problematic item in this scenario is one bearing the model number FB503 and featuring a polyurethane band. Make sure there are no issues with your device. The following table will provide information on users qualified to have their devices returned to them. It does not make a difference whether you are actually putting it to use or not. Therefore, you are still eligible for the refund even though the Ionic has been inactive in your desk drawer for the prior year. This is because you have met the requirements for the refund.
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After barely three years since its first release in 2017, the Fitbit Ionic will no longer be manufactured, as the company has decided to formally end production of the device. However, despite the fact that the deadline had long since passed, you were still able to acquire the watch because not all of the available stocks had been bought up. Between September 2017 and December 2021, customers could buy the ones that could cause burns in various retail locations (such as Amazon, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Target, and Fitbit), and they were available for purchase during that time period.
My memory of the Fitbit Force fitness tracker that I used to wear is jogged due to this. The company decided to discontinue sales of that particular product after receiving around 10,000 customer complaints alleging that the wristband caused skin discomfort. In total, there were 250 instances of blistering found among these.
Fitbit has emphasized that this problem is only present in the Ionic watch, and users are strongly encouraged to immediately stop making use of the device. This “recall does not alter any other Fitbit productions,” the company said in a released statement.
