Leading hoverboard-maker Swagway said Amazon is requesting companies manufacturing the popular devices to prove they are safe to use and has started to pull some hoverboards from its site.
Several models, including ones made by Swagway, no longer appear on Amazon's website, although some from smaller producers are still available.
After a series of explosions, fires and injuries from boards made by various manufacturers, Amazon has stopped selling most models.
"As safety is on the forefront for Swagway, we applaud Amazon for taking these steps to weed out the low quality boards and want to note that this removal is NOT specific to Swagway, but includes 97% of the other branded hoverboards that were also selling on there," reads a statement from Swagway.
Fake and counterfeit hoverboards are a concern. U.S. Customs and Border Protection had seized 164 hoverboards with fake batteries or other counterfeit marks as of this week, the agency said.
The removal of hoverboards follows growing concerns over whether the devices — arguably the hottest holiday gift — present serious safety and fire issues.
In the Philippines there is also issue :
Posted on Facebook Link Click Here
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating at least 11 reports of fires related to hoverboards in ten states in the past year, said deputy director Patty Davis.
“We’re actively testing samples of hoverboards in our lab, both new ones and those involved in incidents,” Davis said.
Lithium-ion batteries can present fire problems. In 2005 and 2006 there were issues with some lithium-ion batteries in computers, which the Consumer Product Safety Commission investigated at the time.
Those were resolved when computer manufactures came up with safe venting and shut off solutions, Davis said.
The commission recommends that if consumers buy hoverboards for the holidays, they not charge them before wrapping them.
“You don’t want a fully charged hoverboard in a box sitting under your tree until Christmas,” she said.
The board should also only be charged when someone is present and paying attention.
"Do not charge a hoverboard overnight. Make sure you’re awake and watching," she said.
Some consumers who purchased hoverboards through Amazon received warnings about lithium-ion batteries.
WARNING FROM AMAZON
According to a safety page on Amazon's website, overcharging, significant changes in temperature or impact can cause problems.
"In rare cases, these batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode," reads Amazon's safety page.
Fire is not the only danger the devices present. “We’ve received 39 reports of emergency room injuries involving hoverboard related to falls and collisions,” said Davis.
SOURCE: Amazon, USAtoday, cbp.gov
Several models, including ones made by Swagway, no longer appear on Amazon's website, although some from smaller producers are still available.
After a series of explosions, fires and injuries from boards made by various manufacturers, Amazon has stopped selling most models.
"As safety is on the forefront for Swagway, we applaud Amazon for taking these steps to weed out the low quality boards and want to note that this removal is NOT specific to Swagway, but includes 97% of the other branded hoverboards that were also selling on there," reads a statement from Swagway.
Fake and counterfeit hoverboards are a concern. U.S. Customs and Border Protection had seized 164 hoverboards with fake batteries or other counterfeit marks as of this week, the agency said.
The removal of hoverboards follows growing concerns over whether the devices — arguably the hottest holiday gift — present serious safety and fire issues.
In the Philippines there is also issue :
Posted on Facebook Link Click Here
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating at least 11 reports of fires related to hoverboards in ten states in the past year, said deputy director Patty Davis.
“We’re actively testing samples of hoverboards in our lab, both new ones and those involved in incidents,” Davis said.
Banned Hoverborads From Flights
USA's largest airlines — American, Delta, Southwest and United — banned hoverboards from flights because the devices use lithium-ion batteries, making them dangerous to transport.Lithium-ion batteries can present fire problems. In 2005 and 2006 there were issues with some lithium-ion batteries in computers, which the Consumer Product Safety Commission investigated at the time.
Those were resolved when computer manufactures came up with safe venting and shut off solutions, Davis said.
The commission recommends that if consumers buy hoverboards for the holidays, they not charge them before wrapping them.
“You don’t want a fully charged hoverboard in a box sitting under your tree until Christmas,” she said.
The board should also only be charged when someone is present and paying attention.
"Do not charge a hoverboard overnight. Make sure you’re awake and watching," she said.
Some consumers who purchased hoverboards through Amazon received warnings about lithium-ion batteries.
WARNING FROM AMAZON
According to a safety page on Amazon's website, overcharging, significant changes in temperature or impact can cause problems.
"In rare cases, these batteries can overheat, catch fire, or explode," reads Amazon's safety page.
Fire is not the only danger the devices present. “We’ve received 39 reports of emergency room injuries involving hoverboard related to falls and collisions,” said Davis.
SOURCE: Amazon, USAtoday, cbp.gov
