Hoverboards: Let’s Go Back From The Future
When Mike Tyson goes down and it isn’t a result from a punch--you may re-think the product he was using (once you stop laughing). The hoverboard was a popular gift to give and receive this past holiday season; however, after this viral video, and many other negative instances shared via news outlets, it seems as though the board is getting a bad rap.
Hoverboards have been a hot topic and an even hotter lawsuit topic. Whether it was a fire in a Baltimore school or onboard an airplane, it seems as though the product has caused more harm than good. This has caught the attention of the U.S. Product Safety Commission and resulted in a detailed investigation. They are looking closely at a number of companies who manufacture and sell hoverboards.
One of the first retailers to step forward and raise a red flag was Amazon. They have released a statement saying that any consumer who purchased a hoverboard through their site can return the product and receive a full refund. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) commended Amazon as they have placed the safety of consumers first—even if that means losing a few dollars.
The greatest concern is that manufacturer; Underwriters Laboratories, has announced that the components of the hoverboards are certified. This is false. The battery packs and power supplies may be UL certified but there no UL certifications for the hoverboard itself. The product’s safety is in fact misleading and the entire product is being considered counterfeit.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed and the USCPSC is working with those individuals who have been harmed. The lawsuits are being centered on the lithium-ion battery packs and the interaction it has with the circuit boards. The USCPSC believes that the overheating and combustion is the leading factor to the number of fires caused by the product.
If you or someone you know has been a victim to a hoverboard, please don’t hesitate to contact us. While the knockout of Tyson may have given you a chuckle, the safety of you and your loved ones is not a laughing matter. Additionally, be sure to visit the USCPSC website for any updates regarding this topic.