Not only are people falling and getting injured from hoverboards left and right, but they are also literally the hottest Christmas item of the year. On Monday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission noted that it is investigating 22 reports of hoverboard fires that have occurred in 17 states. Many of these fires are due to lithium-ion batteries. Even though smartphones, laptops, electric cards, and Boeing 787s use these batteries, there are two key factors to why they are causing fires in hoverboards. The batteries are much more powerful than that of a smartphone or laptop, and some of the manufacturers are suspected to be using second-tier battery sources.
Some tips for preventing hoverboard fires include charging them outside, ensuring they are not overcharged, and being present when the board is charging. Most importantly, being an informed consumer and doing research on the manufacturer before purchasing to ensure you’re making a high-quality purchase could prevent some of these problems.