U.S. Recalls Chinese-Made Altafit Smartwatches Over Fire and Burn Hazards
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a nationwide recall of Altafit af28 smartwatches, manufactured in China, following multiple reports of the devices melting or catching fire during charging. The safety risk has already resulted in six cases of hand burns and property damage, raising urgent concerns about the safety of imported electronics from China.
According to CPSC, the recall affects approximately 2,900 units of the Altafit af28 smartwatch, sold between March and May through shopping platform HSN for about $50 each. The product was imported by Florida-based Deale International and included a charging cable and wireless charging pad.
Authorities revealed 39 incident reports involving overheating, melting, or fire hazards during charging. In six of those cases, users sustained burn injuries to their hands or suffered property loss due to fire damage.
The CPSC is urging all consumers to immediately stop charging the Altafit af28 smartwatch. As part of the recall process, buyers are advised to cut the charging cable, take a photo as proof, and submit it to the importer for a free replacement product.
This precautionary measure aims to prevent further injuries, as the defective design and manufacturing flaws pose a serious risk of fire-related accidents in U.S. households.
While this recall focuses on one smartwatch model, it reflects a recurring problem with substandard Chinese-manufactured electronics entering the U.S. market. In recent years, CPSC has repeatedly flagged Chinese imports — from hoverboards to kitchen appliances — for fire hazards, toxic materials, or poor quality control.
These incidents highlight the potential dangers of relying on Chinese suppliers that may cut corners on safety testing, material quality, or manufacturing oversight. Beyond the direct harm to consumers, defective products can also result in financial loss, medical bills, and property damage.
For U.S. buyers, this case is a reminder to check the origin and safety certifications of electronics before purchase. Products that lack rigorous safety testing can turn into real hazards, especially when dealing with devices powered by lithium-ion batteries — known to be volatile if improperly designed or manufactured.
As China remains the largest source of electronics imported into the U.S., ensuring safety standards and stricter oversight is critical to protecting American homes from preventable accidents.
