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.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.
