Hoverboard Is 'Priority Investigation' at CPSC

CPSC March 16 issued a statement from Acting-Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle that describes its attention to the recent child's death linked to a hoverboard as a "priority investigation. Targeted is whether the make and model involved in the Pennsylvania fire was recalled.

Her advice (bit.ly/2neDSFW) included:

"I urge consumers who own a hoverboard to check to see if it has been recalled. Consumers should know that last year’s recall of more than 500,000 hoverboards by 11 different companies is still active. It is not too late for consumers to receive a refund or replacement battery, depending upon the hoverboard company.

"If a consumer is looking to buy a hoverboard today, whether online or in a store, they should look for a mark or other indication that the product meets the Underwriters Laboratories standard UL 2272. The standard aims to prevent the battery and electrical components in a hoverboard from overheating and catching fire. CPSC has been very engaged with UL, battery manufacturers and other stakeholders since the start of our product-wide investigation in the fall of 2015. Since 2015, CPSC staff has investigated more than 60 fires and tested dozens of self-balancing boards in our laboratory.

"Please follow the safety tips CPSC has for all consumers who own a hoverboard: (1) do not charge them overnight, (2) do not charge them in an area of the home that is unattended, and (3) have working smoke alarms and a fire extinguisher nearby.”