January 7, 2016 — Hoverboards may be the year’s hottest gift, but safety concerns are growing after dozens of reports of fires, explosions, and injuries that landed riders in the emergency room.
Many say the problem is that cheap knock-offs with dangerous batteries have flooded the market. The lithium ion batteries are powerful for their size, which makes them ideal for hoverboards.
However, the batteries can also catch on fire. During charging or use, a short-circuit can cause the battery to heat up too quickly and explode, according to Wired.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has received at least 39 reports of people who had to visit the emergency room after falling off the hoverboard — including broken bones, sprained wrists or ankles, and more. CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye warned:
“Some of these injuries have been serious, including concussions, fractures, contusions/abrasions, and internal organ injuries. Always wear a proper helmet and padding while using this product.”
Fires and explosions are another serious safety concern. The CPSC has received reported of at least 21 fires in 13 states. In at least one report, a hoverboard caught on fire while it was charging and burned down a house in Louisiana. In other cases, the hoverboards exploded while they were being used.
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