Hoverboard Fires and Explosions

Hoverboards may be a hot item, but they may be literally too hot to handle in some cases.  The lithium ion batteries of the self-balancing scooters may overheat and potentially explode. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received 50 reports of injuries including the devices, with 11 reports of fires in 10 states. The United Kingdom’s National Trading Standards discovered a product fault due to overheating while charging the unit.

The CPSC is not issuing a direct recall until the exact cause of the malfunction is known but is urging caution. All US airlines have banned the devices, with Delta specifying that the lithium ion batteries that power the hoverboards may be a problem. Amazon has stopped selling certain models of hoverboards until manufacturers can prove they meet applicable safety standards.

In one case, a house fire in Louisiana occurred due to a hoverboard explosion.  The owner saw sparks coming from both wheels like fireworks while it was charging. Another incident involved a hoverboard exploding when a nearby one passed by.  A woman in Boca Raton, Florida, reported her 11 year old daughter was riding a hoverboard when it burst into flames.

It is currently unknown what exactly causes the problem, but a likely cause is the lithium ion batteries, or poor conduction. Whatever the cause is, the devices frequently overheat.  So far at least one person has died from a hoverboard accident, with them falling into traffic and dying after falling off their hoverboard.

Philadelphia Products Liability Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Represent Victims of Injury Due to Unsafe Products

If you have been injured in a hoverboard accident, the experienced Philadelphia products liability lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP can help. With offices conveniently located in Center City, Philadelphia, we represent victims throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call us today at 1-800-222-8792 or contact us online.