WASHINGTON, DC — The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is looking into dozens of fires involving hoverboards, which are also called smart boards or self-balancing boards. Many of these fires occurred indoors and could have resulted in serious injuries if not for the quick actions of consumers to extinguish the fire. The CPSC is it is making hoverboards a priority investigation and is devoting the staff time and resources necessary to determine the root causes of the fires.
CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye issued a statement on hoverboards saying in part:
“Beyond the fire hazards, based on the increasing number of serious injuries and emergency room visits associated with these products, we are also expanding our investigation of the falls associated with hoverboards. 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.
“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. We are looking deeper into the design of these products to see if they present a hidden hazard that is leading to fall injuries that should not occur, even on a product that presents some risk of falling.
“Fall injuries can be serious and life-altering. Many people, including children, have ended up with fractures, contusions or head/brain injuries. Hospitals across the country are reporting spikes in children and adults being admitted after suffering serious falls. If you or your child continues to use this product, I recommend that you do so with a helmet and pads. I have two very active young boys, so I very much appreciate the struggle sometimes to get kids to use safety gear. But, wearing proper safety gear in this instance should be non-negotiable.
“As we move forward with our investigation of the fall and fire hazards relating to hoverboards, all options remain on the table for CPSC. The federal government continues to work in close coordination on this serious issue. Officials from CPSC, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration are regularly sharing information and insights with a common goal of taking whatever steps are necessary to prevent injuries and property damage from fires and falls.”
Both ASTM International and UL are developing standards for hoverboards that would address both types of hazards. CPSC engineers are testing hoverboards – new models and those involved in fire incidents – at its National Product Testing and Evaluation Center in Rockville, Md.
Consumers are urged to use caution with hoverboards:
- Have a working fire extinguisher nearby while charging or using these boards.
- Charge in an open area away from combustible materials.
- Gear up before riding, which means putting on a skateboard helmet, elbow and knee pads and wrist guards.
- And, do not use a hoverboard on or near a road. Hoverboards are illegal in New York City and State.
In a release, the CPSC said that is actively investigating the safety of hoverboards made and/or sold by the following hoverboard manufacturers, importers and distributors:
Name of hoverboard/manufacturer, importer or distributor
Smart Balance Wheel/One Stop Electronic Inc.
Smart Balance Wheel Scooter/Glide Boards
Hover-way Hands-Free Electric/Digital Gadgets LLC
Swagway Hands-Free Smart Board/Swagway LLC
Smart Balance Board/I Lean Hoverboards
E-Rover-Mini Smart Balance Scooter/LeCam Technology
Smart Balance Wheels/Kateeskitty
Hoverboard360.com
iMOTO/Keenford Limited
YOOLIKED
Smart Balance Wheel/Luxiyan and
Uwheels
E-Rover Smart Balance Wheel
To date, the CPSC has not made any determinations about the safety of these brands.
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