The recall covers hoverboards from 10 producers, importers and retailers, with more than half from Swagway, maker of one of the most popular brands.
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Ten companies are recalling about 501,000 hoverboards after numerous reports of the self-balancing scooters’ batteries catching fire, the US Consumer Products Safety Commission says.
The hoverboards affected by the recall are said to be manufactured in China.
Consumers are advised to discontinue use of these products and contact the company for information about a refund or, in some cases, a fix. Obviously, the manufacturers did not comply with the safety requirements given the number of reported incidents of injuries caused by the overheating of the product’s lithium-ion battery packs.
“Hoverboards that are not certified by Underwriters Laboratories are extremely unsafe and are a fire hazard waiting to happen”, according to Kaye’s statement. The agency received reports of at least 99 incidents involving battery packs in hoverboards overheating, sparking, catching fire or exploding.
The watchdog said that the Chinese retailer Alibaba had given it a commitment that in the future it would require sellers to have safety check certificates for the hoverboards they sell via its sites. While the CSPC advises that consumers seek a refund for numerous listed hoverboards, the agency advised seeking replacements from some brands that have acquired safety certification.
Swagway has worked with CPSC to voluntarily create a recall and retrofit program to address the safety concerns, they added. Some universities have banned or limited hoverboards on their campuses.
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The hoverboards listed in the recall notice are made or imported by Digital Gadgets, Hoverboard LLC, Hype Wireless, Keenford Ltd, PTX Performance Products USA, Razor USA, Swagway, and Yuka Clothing. “At that time, we also contacted every customer that had purchased such a device from the website and offered them a full refund”.
