Fitbit issues recall for Ionic smartwatches: Talking Tech podcast
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Hey there listeners, it's Brett Melina. Welcome back to Talking Tech. If you own a Fitbit Ionic smartwatch, be sure to check the model number on the back. It may be part of a product recall. Fitbit issued this recall for about one million of its Ionic smartwatches in the US because the device's battery could overheat and pose a burn risk to its users. I write about this in a story that you can read on Tech.USAToday.com.
According to a statement from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Fitbit received at least 115 reports in the US of the lithium ion battery that's used in the watch overheating. According to the agency, they received 78 reports of burn injuries. Four of those reports were for second degree burns, and two reports were for third degree burns. Fitbit emailed USA Today a statement and they said that incidents like this were very rare and they don't impact any of the company's other devices like smartwatches or fitness trackers. Here is a quote from Fitbit, quote, "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," end quote.
You can go to my story, it breaks down the models and the colors so you have a sense of whether if you own an Ionic smartwatch, whether it might be yours. Best way to check is just flip your watch around, look on the back of the device where the wristband attaches and you should see a number there. And you can just match that up with the model numbers in my story and just to figure out whether you're affected. These watches were sold at Target, Best Buy, Kohl's. You could also buy them online through Fitbit's website, as well as Amazon. They were sold between September of 2017 and last December according to the CPSC.
If you do have this watch, consumers are urged to contact Fitbit. They will give you prepaid packaging to allow you to return the watch and then you will get a $299 refund. For more on this story, if you are worried you might have this watch and just want to double check whether you do or not, be sure to visit Tech.USAToday.com.
Listeners, let's hear from you. Do you have any comments, questions, or show ideas? Any tech problems you want us to try to address? You can find me on Twitter at BrettMelina23. Please don't forget to subscribe and rate us or leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, anywhere you get your podcasts. And don't forget too, if you want tech news delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to the Talking Tech newsletter. It's out every Thursday. Visit Newsletters.USAToday.com.
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