Self-balancing “hoverboard” scooters impounded at UK ports due to explosion risk

Of 17,000 tested over the last seven weeks, 15,000 failed basic safety checks.

Mark Walton – Dec 3, 2015 11:35 am | 14

Thousands of self-balancing “hoverboard” scooters have been impounded at UK ports after testing revealed they were at risk of exploding or bursting into flames.

The UK Trading Standards body has reported a dramatic increase in the number of the so-called hoverboards arriving into the UK in the build-up to Christmas, with many of them posing a risk to consumers. Trading Standards said it had examined more than 17,000 of the devices imported from outside the EU over the last seven weeks, with 15,000 (88 percent) failing basic safety checks.

Testing revealed safety issues with the plug, cabling, charger, battery, and the cut-off switch within the board, which often failed. Some were also found to have non-compliant plugs without fuses.

Christmas shoppers are warned to be cautious before buying a hoverboard, particularly a cheaper model. “As a minimum, consumers should check that the three-pin plug on the device states it is made to BS1363. If it doesn’t include this information, then don’t buy the product,” advises Trading Standards.

Last week, UK retailer Halfords was forced to issue a recall of its £499 “Air Runner Balance Board” after some units were sold with a plug and charger that are were not compliant with British standards. Wholesaler Costco also recently issued a safety notice over its £400 Air Runner, which came with unsafe plugs that posed an electrocution risk.

Some devices are alleged to have already caused problems, with reports of many exploding and catching fire coming in from across London. In America, a Louisiana woman claimed that when her son plugged in his new hoverboard to recharge it, sparks shot out and set the room on fire.

Hoverboards are one of the must-have toys this Christmas, their popularity sparked in part by celebrity fans like Brooklyn Beckham, Lily Allen, and Usain Bolt. However, as London’s Metropolitan Police reminded users earlier this year, they are in fact illegal to use on roads and pavements, falling under the same legislation that outlawed the Segway.

Given that hoverboards are illegal to use in public, and might explode, it may be prudent to convince your kids to ask Santa for a bicycle this year. You probably won’t succeed, but it’s worth a shot.