One of this holiday season’s hottest high-tech products is heating up the market – to the point of explosion.

Produced under unique names like, “Swagway,” “Legway,” “Airboard,” or “Power Balance Boards,” hoverboards, two-wheeled self-balancing personal vehicles, are dominating the futuristic toy market, but are starting to watch their sales go up in flames – literally.

 

Since news broke of hoverboard safety concerns, within the past few days, major retailers including Amazon, Overstock and Target have ripped the item, or certain bogus manufacturers of the hoverboards, off their (virtual) shelves.

 

Counterfeit hoverboards were being sold through Amazon and other sites. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than 164 hoverboards with fake batteries and other deceptive marks – which have been linked to fire issues. Hoverboards use lithium-ion batteries, just like smartphones, laptops and other rechargeable devices. However, if poorly made, there is a risk of explosion.

 

This blaze is not cheap either… hoverboards can cost between $300 and $2,000.

 

The Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission is stepping in, having logged 29 emergency room visits and 11 reports of fires in 10 states, according to Elliot F. Kaye, chairman of the commission.

 

“We’re particularly sensitive to the fact that many have been purchased and wrapped,” he said.

 

Local officials nationwide are banning the self-balancing boards from city sidewalks and even airplanes in fear of fire or explosion. Read more