Local National Weather Sports Traffic Watch Now
NewsNational News

Actions

More than 500,000 hoverboards recalled after fires

<p>The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is ordering massive recalls for the ever-popular hoverboards. </p><p>The hoverboards are fire hazards and pose risks to consumers' safety, according to the CPSC recall. More than 500,000 hoverboards are affected. CPSC's chairman spoke exclusively to <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/News/cpsc-recalling-500000-hoverboards-due-fire-hazards/story?id=40359491" target="_blank">ABC</a> about the recall. </p><p>"This is a huge recall. It's the recall I think we've all been waiting for to address this product that as soon as it came on the market presented a pretty significant fire hazard," CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/News/cpsc-recalling-500000-hoverboards-due-fire-hazards/story?id=40359491" target="_blank">told ABC</a>. </p><p>Over half the products recalled are from Swagway, a hoverboard manufacturer that told consumers in mid-February to stop using its products because they weren't safe, but walked that statement back <a href="http://mashable.com/2016/02/22/swagway-hoverboard-safety-180/#iXpzCGBVjiqw" target="_blank">just a few days later</a>. </p><p>Ever since the rolling hoverboards started getting popular last year, many customers have documented them suddenly exploding. </p><p>"I came down the sidewalk, not even maybe 100 feet, and it exploded. It went BOOM!" Timothy Cade told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBofxHr8dms" target="_blank">WKRG</a>. </p><p><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/About-CPSC/Chairman/Kaye-Biography/Chairman-Kayes-Statements/Statements/Statement-from-the-US-CPSC-Chairman-Elliot-F-Kaye-on-the-safety-of-hoverboards/" target="_blank">The CPSC said in December</a> that even though the fire hazard had gotten most of the attention, the risk of injury from falling off one of the boards could also cause serious injury. </p><p>In all, hoverboards from 10 companies are being recalled. </p><p>The full list can be found <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/Hoverboard-Self-Balancing-Scooter-Recall-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-385671691.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><i>This video includes clips from the </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUIJ_lHk54U" target="_blank">U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission</a></i><i> and images from Getty Images. </i></p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/chicago-has-already-seen-more-than-2-000-shootings-this-year/">Chicago Has Already Seen More Than 2,000 Shootings This Year</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/a-boston-cab-driver-found-187k-in-his-car-and-returned-it/">A Boston Cab Driver Found $187K In His Car — And Returned It</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/fatal-police-shooting-of-a-black-man-sparks-protests-in-louisiana/">Fatal Police Shooting Of A Black Man Sparks Protests In Louisiana</a></li></ul>
<p>The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is ordering massive recalls for the ever-popular hoverboards. </p><p>The hoverboards are fire hazards and pose risks to consumers' safety, according to the CPSC recall. More than 500,000 hoverboards are affected. CPSC's chairman spoke exclusively to <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/News/cpsc-recalling-500000-hoverboards-due-fire-hazards/story?id=40359491" target="_blank">ABC</a> about the recall. </p><p>"This is a huge recall. It's the recall I think we've all been waiting for to address this product that as soon as it came on the market presented a pretty significant fire hazard," CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/News/cpsc-recalling-500000-hoverboards-due-fire-hazards/story?id=40359491" target="_blank">told ABC</a>. </p><p>Over half the products recalled are from Swagway, a hoverboard manufacturer that told consumers in mid-February to stop using its products because they weren't safe, but walked that statement back <a href="http://mashable.com/2016/02/22/swagway-hoverboard-safety-180/#iXpzCGBVjiqw" target="_blank">just a few days later</a>. </p><p>Ever since the rolling hoverboards started getting popular last year, many customers have documented them suddenly exploding. </p><p>"I came down the sidewalk, not even maybe 100 feet, and it exploded. It went BOOM!" Timothy Cade told <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBofxHr8dms" target="_blank">WKRG</a>. </p><p><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/About-CPSC/Chairman/Kaye-Biography/Chairman-Kayes-Statements/Statements/Statement-from-the-US-CPSC-Chairman-Elliot-F-Kaye-on-the-safety-of-hoverboards/" target="_blank">The CPSC said in December</a> that even though the fire hazard had gotten most of the attention, the risk of injury from falling off one of the boards could also cause serious injury. </p><p>In all, hoverboards from 10 companies are being recalled. </p><p>The full list can be found <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/Hoverboard-Self-Balancing-Scooter-Recall-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-385671691.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><i>This video includes clips from the </i><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUIJ_lHk54U" target="_blank">U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission</a></i><i> and images from Getty Images. </i></p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/chicago-has-already-seen-more-than-2-000-shootings-this-year/">Chicago Has Already Seen More Than 2,000 Shootings This Year</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/a-boston-cab-driver-found-187k-in-his-car-and-returned-it/">A Boston Cab Driver Found $187K In His Car — And Returned It</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/videos/fatal-police-shooting-of-a-black-man-sparks-protests-in-louisiana/">Fatal Police Shooting Of A Black Man Sparks Protests In Louisiana</a></li></ul>
Posted
and last updated

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 500,000 hoverboards are being recalled after dozens of reports of fires and spewing smoke.

There have been 99 reports to the Consumer Product Safety Commission of battery packs that have overheated, exploded or caught fire, the U.S. regulator said Wednesday.

There have been at least 18 reports of injuries, such as burns to the neck, legs or arms, according to the CPSC. Property damage has also been reported.

Hoverboards were a hot item during the holiday season, but videos and photos of hoverboards on fire were soon teeming on the internet. The CPSC warned makers and retailers of the two-wheel motorized scooters earlier this year that they were required to follow newly-created safety requirements or face recalls. Many airlines, railroads and college campuses have already banned hoverboards citing safety risks.

The recalled hoverboards were made by 10 companies ranging from Swagway LLC of South Bend, Indiana, to Keenford, based in Hong Kong.

They were sold in major stores nationwide and online between June 2015 and May 2016. They cost as much as $900.

Owners should stop using the recalled hoverboards and return them for a full refund, free repair or a free replacement, the CPSC said.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
SNG_Digital_Ad_480x360_CTA.jpg