Warning: This article contains images which some readers may find distressing
A man claims he's been left with a severe burn after his Fitbit began 'burning up' and 'smoking'.
In a post shared on Facebook, Ethan Landers says he rushed to the emergency department after being burnt on his wrist.
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On his post, he claims he was asleep when he woke up 'in a panic' with his 'wrist burning'.
He continued: "I quickly realised my Fitbit was burning up, so I tried frantically to get it off. With a few failed attempts, I jumped out of bed and turned the light on where my wife was able to unlatch the band on my Fitbit.
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"It felt like it melted through my arm. There was smoke coming out of the Fitbit battery and our bedroom smelled like an electrical fire. We called a nurse to see if we should be seen and she told us we needed to go to the ER since the wound was white and already blistering.
"At the ER they cleaned out the wound, took x-rays to make sure no debris remained in my arm and then referred me to a wound clinic.
"When I was seen at the wound clinic, they informed me it was a third-degree burn. At my follow-up appointment they will determine if I need a skin graft."
He says he's been left 'without feeling' in part of his wrist due to sustaining 'nerve damage' and believes he will be 'scarred for life'. He finished his post by saying it was a 'traumatic experience'.
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Alongside the post, which has since been shared thousands of times, he uploaded photos showing a nasty-looking burn on his wrist.
A spokesperson from Fitbit told LADbible: "The health and safety of our customers is our top priority, and we take Mr. Landers' report very seriously. We have spoken with Mr. Landers and are actively investigating this issue.
"Fitbit products are designed and produced in accordance with strict standards and undergo extensive internal and external testing to ensure the safety of our users. Users who have any concerns about their device should reach out to [email protected]."
On its site, Fitbit tells users to remove the watch if they experience any unusual sensations, writing: "If you feel soreness, tingling, numbness, burning or stiffness in your hands or wrists while or after wearing the product, please immediately discontinue use."
It goes on to warn users not to attempt to remove the battery, get it wet, expose it to extreme high or low temperatures or use any charging cables that aren't certified. You can find out about more dos and don'ts here.
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Featured Image Credit: Ethan Landers
Topics: Technology