Fitbit has recalled its Ionic smartwatches due to a burn hazard caused by the lithium-ion battery overheating.

Around a million have been sold in the USA with nearly 700,000 sold overseas.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Ionic smartwatches and contact Fitbit to receive pre-paid packaging to return the device. Upon receipt of the device, consumers will be issued a refund of $299. Fitbit will also provide participating consumers with a discount code for 40% off select Fitbit devices.

This recall only involves the Fitbit Ionic smartwatch. It was sold with a polyurethane band and has a 3.5cm colour LCD screen. The watches were sold in slate blue/burnt orange, charcoal/smoke grey, blue grey/silver grey, and a special edition co-branded with Adidas in ink blue/silver grey.

The smartwatch tracks activity, heart rate and sleep. Only the following models are included in this recall: FB503CPBU, FB503GYBK, FB503WTGY and FB503WTNV. The model number (FB503) is on the back of the device near where the band attaches. Fitbit is printed on the front.

Fitbit has received at least 115 reports in the USA and 59 reports internationally of the battery in the watch overheating with 78 reports of burn injuries in the USA including two reports of third-degree burns and four reports of second-degree burns. There have been 40 reports of burn injuries internationally.

The products were sold atBest Buy, Kohl’s, Target and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon and Fitbit from September 2017 to December 2021 for between $200 and $330. Fitbit stopped production of Ionic in 2020. They were made in Taiwan.

The recall was conducted voluntarily by the company under the fast-track recall process of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Fast-track recalls are initiated by firms who commit to work with CPSC to announce quickly the recall and remedy to protect consumers.

A statement from Fitbit said: “The health and safety of Fitbit users is our highest priority. We are taking this action out of an abundance of caution for our users. We will offer a refund to Fitbit Ionic customers. This voluntary recall is specific to Fitbit Ionic devices. It does not impact any other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers. If you own a Fitbit Ionic, please stop using your device.”

The CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the USA more than $1tn annually. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products for nearly 50 years.

Federal law in the USA bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the CPSC.