US orders recall of 500,000 hoverboards over fire risks after batteries explode

US orders recall of 500,000 hoverboards over fire risks after batteries explode

More than 500,000 hoverboards are being recalled after dozens of reports of fires and spewing smoke.

There have been 99 reports to the Consumer Product Safety Commission of battery packs that have overheated, exploded or caught fire, the US regulator said Wednesday.

There have been at least 18 reports of injuries, such as burns to the neck, legs or arms, according to the CPSC. Property damage has also been reported.

Hoverboards were a hot item over Christmas, but videos and photos of hoverboards on fire were soon teeming on the internet.

The CPSC warned makers and retailers of the two-wheel motorised scooters earlier this year that they were required to follow newly-created safety requirements or face recalls. Many airlines, railroads and college campuses have already banned hoverboards citing safety risks.

In the UK, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that hoverboards are illegal to ride on public roads or pavements, while Amazon has also urged customers to return them amid safety warnings.

Thousands have also been seized by customs officials for being unsafe.

The recalled hoverboards were made by 10 companies ranging from Indiana company Swagway to Keenford, based in Hong Kong.

They were sold in major stores nationwide and online between June 2015 and May 2016, and can cost hundreds of dollars.

Owners should stop using the recalled hoverboards and return them for a full refund, free repair or a free replacement, the CPSC said.

Original source: The Telegraph

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