: The Government Has Issued an Official Warning About McDonald's Fitness Trackers
Update, August 24, 2016: The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued an official warning regarding the 29 million units (U.S.) of McDonald's fitness tracker toys. The CPSC states that the company has received more than 70 reports of skin irritation from the wristbands, including blisters. It recommends parents remove the recalled wristbands from children and return them to any McDonald's for a free replacement toy and either a yogurt tube or bag of apple slices.
Original, August 18, 2016: After an attempt to get kids moving while eating a Happy Meal, McDonald's is pulling its new toy fitness tracker, Step-It, due to concerns of skin irritations. The exact number of reports is unknown, but in one case, a boy was burned on his arm after wearing the gadget.
Casey Collyar, a mother in Arkansas, posted on Facebook that her son Cason had a visible burn after playing with the toy for eight minutes. She speculated that the battery pack on the back might have been the cause, and warned other parents not to let their children play with the toy.
According to CNN, the trackers, which come in six bright colors, were set to be distributed for four weeks throughout the United States and Canada. Company spokeswoman Terri Hickey said in a statement to CNN that McDonald's has removed the trackers from Happy Meals and is "fully investigating this issue."
Something McDonald's may have wanted to keep in mind is the fact that many young children have sensitive skin or allergies, which can be inflamed by wristbands. After all, just last year FitBit received complaints that their trackers were causing rashes - and you pay big money for those.
As a warning, Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, says if you and your kids are looking to get healthier with a fitness tracker, be sure to check the materials of the band and take precautions.
"Look for soft, durable plastics that allow for more breathability, and switch up the wrist you are wearing it on every so often," she said, adding that best bets include these fitness trackers vetted by the GH Institute.
