More than 500,000 “hoverboards” are being recalled after some of the motorized scooters overheated, burning riders and damaging property.
There have been 99 reports to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission of hoverboard battery packs that exploded or caught fire, the US regulator said on Wednesday.
At least 18 injuries were reported, such as burns to the neck, legs or arms, according to the commission. Property damages were also reported.
RISK ON WHEELS
Hoverboards were a hot item during the holiday season last year, but videos and photographs of the two-wheeled motorized vehicles catching fire or spewing smoke were soon showing up frequently on the Internet.
The commission warned hoverboard makers and retailers earlier this year that they had to follow newly created safety requirements or face recalls.
Many airlines, railroads and college campuses have already banned hoverboards, citing safety risks.
REFUND, REPAIR, REPLACE
The recalled hoverboards were made by 10 companies ranging from Swagway LLC of South Bend, Indiana, to Hong Kong-based Keenford Ltd (勤福).
They were sold online and in major stores in the US between June last year and May and can cost as much as US$900.
Owners should stop using the recalled hoverboards and return them for a full refund, free repair or a free replacement, the commission said.
Of the companies named, Swagway had the most recalled hoverboards at 267,000. The company’s US$400 Swagway X1 also had the most reports of injuries at 16.
Others being recalled include 84,000 of Keenford’s iMoto hoverboards, 70,000 of Hoverboard LLC’s Powerboard and 28,000 of Razor USA’s Hovertrax.
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