“For consumers who purchased a hoverboard from Amazon, they can return the product right now for a full refund. “I am pleased that at least one leading retailer is erring on the side of caution and taking action now,” said Kaye. Since the agency’s recent announcements, one retailer has offered consumers the opportunity to obtain a full refund in return for the product.
Swagway Hands-Free Smart Board/Swagway LLCĮ-Rover-Mini Smart Balance Scooter/LeCam TechnologyĭEYA LED/E-Rover Smart Balance Wheel /Shenzhen yuan jia jie Technology Co. Hover-way Hands-Free Electric/Digital Gadgets LLC Smart Balance Wheel/One Stop Electronic Inc. But, wearing proper safety gear in this instance should be non-negotiable,” Kaye said.ĬPSC is actively investigating the safety of hoverboards made and/or sold by: I have two very active young boys, so I very much appreciate the struggle sometimes to get kids to use safety gear. “If you or your child continue to use this product, I recommend that you do so with a helmet and pads. The agency director said that hospitals across the country are reporting spikes in children and adults being admitted after suffering serious falls. The agency is researching the product’s design to evaluate any hidden dangers that may cause fall injuries to occur.
“However, I am concerned, for example, that the current designs of these products might not take fully into consideration the different weights of different users, potentially leading to the units speeding up or lurching in a manner that a user would not have reason to anticipate, especially a first-time user.” “At first glance, it is easy to believe the risk of falling off a hoverboard is an obvious one and to dismiss those injuries as user inexperience or error,” said Kaye. As a result, Kaye said, the investigation has expanded to include falls associated with hoverboards. “These are the same readily-available technologies that exist in properly manufactured lithium-ion batteries used in the notebook computers and cell phones we all use every day.”īesides the fire risk associated with the balance boards, the agency is aware of the increasing number of serious injuries and emergency room visits associated with the product. There are certain basic safety technologies we expect these units to have that should prevent overheating and potential combustion,” Kaye explained. CPSC staff has consulted with test laboratories, lithium-ion battery representatives and other outside experts to verify safe design practices for use of lithium-ion batteries in hoverboards. “CPSC staff is focusing on the components of the lithium-ion battery packs as well as their interaction with the circuit boards inside the units. Kaye said in a recent statement on the safety of hoverboards and the status of the investigation.Īccording to Kaye, the agency is trying to find the root cause of hoverboard fires. “We are actively investigating a number of companies that make or sell hoverboards,” U.S. Many of these fires occurred indoors and could have resulted in serious injuries if they had not been put out by consumers, the agency stated.ĬPSC engineers continue to test hoverboards at its National Product Testing and Evaluation Center in Rockville, Maryland. Thus far, the fires have caused $2 million in property damage as well as the destruction of two homes and a car. According to the letter, drafted by Robert Howell, acting director office of compliance and field operations at the CPSC, the agency has received reports of 52 hoverboard fires in 24 states between Decemand February 17, 2016.
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