Hoverboards: A Fad That Fizzled
Hoverboards, the self-balancing scooters that took the world by storm a few years ago, have hit a major roadblock. Over half a million hoverboards have been recalled due to safety concerns, including the risk of fires.
The Rise and Fall of Hoverboards
Hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters, became a popular gadget in 2015. They were seen as a fun and futuristic way to get around. However, the industry was plagued by safety issues from the start.
Many hoverboards were made with cheap materials and did not meet safety standards. This led to a number of fires, prompting the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue a warning and urge consumers to stop using hoverboards.
Despite the warnings, hoverboards continued to be sold. In 2016, the CPSC estimated that the industry had made at least $2 billion in a year and a half.
The Recall
In February 2017, the CPSC announced a recall of over 500,000 hoverboards. The recall was prompted by 99 fire incidents, including two house fires and one car fire.
The recall affected several brands of hoverboards, including Swagway X1, iMoto, Hovertrax, Hype Roam, and Powerboard. Consumers were urged to stop using the recalled hoverboards and contact the manufacturers for a refund, repair, or replacement.
The Future of Hoverboards
The recall of over half a million hoverboards is a major blow to the industry. It is unclear whether the industry will be able to recover from this setback.
However, the recall may also speed up the development of real hoverboards that levitate, like the Hendo and Zapata. These hoverboards are still in the early stages of development, but they could eventually replace the self-balancing scooters that have been recalled.
What to Do If You Have a Recalled Hoverboard
If you have a recalled hoverboard, you should stop using it immediately. You should also contact the manufacturer for a refund, repair, or replacement.
You can find a list of the recalled hoverboards on the CPSC website: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2017/CPSC-Announces-Recall-of-Over-Half-a-Million-Hoverboards-Due-to-Fire-Hazard
How to Avoid Hoverboard Fires
If you are considering buying a hoverboard, there are a few things you can do to avoid fires:
- Only buy hoverboards from reputable manufacturers.
- Look for hoverboards that have been certified by a safety organization, such as UL or ETL.
- Do not charge hoverboards overnight.
- Do not use hoverboards on wet or uneven surfaces.
- Be aware of the fire risks associated with hoverboards and take precautions to avoid them.