Everyone’s talking about the exciting new toy that has had even the Vatican horrified. Whether Santa dropped a hoverboard in your Christmas stocking, or you couldn’t resist the urge to buy one for yourself, there’s a lot to know about these very intriging, but dangerous toys.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), hoverboards have been involved in a number of fire-related hazards. The CPSC is actively investigating reported fires and will continue to do so as new reports are made.
The agency is also testing these damaged and burned hoverboards for answers to several questions:
Do hoverboards pose a safety problem for American consumers?
Is there an inherent design flaw in these hoverboards that poses a threat of a fire hazard, or is it just a few models of hoverboards that have these issues?
It’s important to also remember that fire risks are not the only risks associated with hoverboard use. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, some of the injuries resulting from hoverboard use include concussions, fractures, abrasions and internal injuries. Many of these incidents are not being reported to federal authorities, and this means that the data about these incidents are fairly slim. Hoverboards are a new invention, and therefore, there isn’t sufficient safety data around these devices. There are also no federal safety standards that apply to hoverboard design and manufacture.
If you have recently purchased a hoverboard, one thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to wear a helmet. If you want to buy a hoverboard for yourself, avoid buying one online, where there is less control over safety protocols. Ask the retailer if the hoverboard has met any safety protocols or ask for of proof of sound design. Charge the batteries and store your overboard away from inflammables or combustibles, and wait for a while after charging the hoverboard before riding it.