Faulty hoverboards caused $2M of damage in just 2 months – including burning down homes

An investigation by the US consumer safety watchdog has found hoverboards caused $2 million of damage from December last year to February – including “the destruction of two homes and an automobile.”

The Consumer Product Safety Commission launched an inquiry in 2015 after alarms were raised and has now sent a letter to makers, importers and sellers urging them to meet voluntary safety standards.

“Consumers risk serious injury or death if their self-balancing scooters ignite and burn,” the letter says.

Although not ordering a recall at present, the letter sent by Robert Howell from the CPSC has said non-compliant hoverboard shipments will be seized at import or recalled if found already on sale in the US.

➤ Consumer Product Safety Commission