
This recall involves self-balancing scooters, commonly referred to as hoverboards. They have two wheels at either end of a platform and are powered by lithium-ion battery packs. These battery packs have a high risk of catching fire and causing serious burn injuries. According to the CPSC, there have been at least 99 incidents reports of the battery packs in self-balancing scooters/hoverboards overheating, sparking, smoking, catching fire and/or exploding including reports of burn injuries and property damage.
The lithium-ion battery packs in the self-balancing scooters/hoverboards can overheat, posing a risk of the products smoking, catching fire and/or exploding. The CPSC 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.
The current companies involved are Swagway LLC of South Bend, Indiana, to Keenford Ltd., based in Hong Kong. They were sold online and in major stores nationwide between June 2015 and May 2016; Keenford’s iMoto hoverboards; Hoverboard LLC’s Powerboard and Razor USA’s Hovertrax. Owners should stop using the recalled hoverboards and return them for a full refund, free repair or a free replacement, the CPSC said.
If you have been injured by a hoverboard, call my office for a free consultation.