McDonald’s Step-It Fitness Watch Recall Issued Following Skin Burns

Nearly 30 million McDonald’s Happy Meal fitness watches are being recalled, due to a risk that they may cause skin burns for children. 

The McDonald’s Step-iT Fitness Wristband recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on August 23, indicating that the Happy Meal “toys” pose a risk of skin irritation or burns.

At least 70 reports of skin problems from the McDonald’s Step-It watches have been reported, including seven reports of blisters occurring after children wore the wristbands. However, these confirmed reports likely only represent a small portion of the true number of injuries experienced by children nationwide given the widespread distribution of the watches.

The recall includes McDonalds Step-iT Activity Wristbands that come in two styles, the Activity Counter and Light-Up Band. Both styles are sold in McDonald’s Happy Meals and Mighty Meals.

More than 29 million units were sold in the U.S. and another 3.6 million units were sold in Canada.

According to one mother’s report of an incident, which was shared via social media, her child was burned after playing with the fitness wristband for no more than eight minutes.

The Step-iT Activity Counter style comes in a translucent plastic orange, blue or green casing. It features a digital screen that tracks a child’s steps or other types of movements.

The Step-iT Light-Up Band is a motion-activated band that comes in translucent plastic red, purple, or orange. The band’s lights blink when the child walks or moves, faster or slower depending on the speed the child’s moves. Both styles feature a square face with the words Step-iT printed on the band, as well as a button that can be pushed to activate the band. Each style also has the words “Made for McDonald’s” etched on the back square face.

Both the Activity Counter and Light-Up Band are involved in the recall and were manufactured in China.

The Step-iT Fitness Bands were distributed from August 9, 2016 to August 17, 2016, with Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals.

Customers are urged to return the fitness trackers to any McDonald’s immediately for a free replacement toy, yogurt tube or bag of apple slices.

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our customers which is why upon learning about concerns with these bands we acted swiftly to stop distribution of these products,” said Terri Hickey, a McDonald’s spokesperson, in a press release issued by McDonald’s.

Consumers with questions can contact McDonald’s at 800-244-6227, or online at www.mcdonalds.com and click on “Safety Recall” for more information.