UK Banned Hoverboards Due To Safety Risks

The hoverboards have become the new trend item, thanks to social media, but they are currently being banned due to concerns regarding their safety.

We see popular stars such as Kendall Jenner and Justin Bieber ride the hoverboards, and they seem fun but the device has been questioned because of its faulty electrical systems.

One of the many countries who made a move against the device is the United Kingdom where 15,000 units have been confiscated. The authorities made an announcement labelling the product as hazardous on New Year's Eve.

The revolutionary scooters were said to overheat and burn or explode as a result of their plugs not having fuses that are not in compliance with safety standards regarding electrical devices by the U.K. National Trading Standards group. There have been quite a sharp increase in the demand for the hoverboards in the U.K. as of late, most probably attributed to the shopping holidays.

The device has been notorious as of late due to various unfavourable incidents around the world. In the United States, specifically in Louisiana, the self-balancing variant of the product is the reason why a house got burned. In other cities, the innovative item was considered hazardous in the streets of New York.

The hoverboards are being manufactured by 20 different companies from China with Phunkee Duck and IO Hawk coming out as the most popular. The scooters from these brands also happen to be the most expensive among their competitors. Their models cost from $1,500 to $1,700, while other brands sell cheaper versions at $350.

John Soibatian, President of IO Hawk, says that the reason that the inexpensive hoverboards from the competitors are the ones that are truly unsafe. 'Most of them are having so many problems and failures because they're not technology companies,' he said.

Advice from the National Trading Standards goes that the owners of the device should be extra cautious when handling the product or while it is being recharged.