Apple has announced the iPod nano (1st Generation) Replacement Program. The company says it’s discovered, “in very rare cases,” that the battery in the iPod nano (first generation) may overheat and pose a safety risk. Affected iPod nanos were sold between September 2005 and December 2006.

This issue has been traced to a single battery supplier that produced batteries with a manufacturing defect. While the possibility of an incident is rare, the likelihood increases as the battery ages, according to Apple.

Apple recommends that you stop using your iPod nano and follow a process to order a replacement unit, free of charge. You can find details at http://www.apple.com/support/ipodnano_replacement/.