THE Isle of Man's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is raising awareness of a potential safety hazard with the first generation Apple iPod nano.

The warning follows the identification of the manufacturer of a single battery supplier that produced batteries with a manufacturing defect which may cause them to overheat and pose a safety risk.

While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages.

A statement by the OFT said the warning only applies to the first generation of the nano which was sold between September 2005 and December 2006.

Apple is recommending customers to stop using the nano and order a replacement device via https://supportform.apple.com/201110/

Customers need to send their devices back to Apple - the serial numbers will be checked to ensure they are eligible - and they will receive a replacement unit approximately six weeks later.

Anyone with a personalised iPod nano will receive a non-personalised replacement.

Apple is urging customers to use iTunes to back up any data before sending their nano in for a replacement unit.

First generation Apple nanos have a black or white plastic front and a silver metal back.

Later models have a metal front and back.