This year’s must-have holiday gift is none other than the hoverboard – though it comes with a fiery twist, as reports of these self-propelled scooters exploding or catching fire have surfaced. A home in Louisiana experienced damage when a hoverboard ignited while charging, and a man in Alabama recounted a shocking incident where his hoverboard exploded right beneath him. Due to these concerning events, the National Association of State Fire Marshals has urged consumers to thoroughly research before purchasing one of these devices to ensure they meet safety standards. It appears that not all hoverboards, which range from $250 to $2,000, are made to the same quality.
The risks may stem from overcharging the lithium batteries with subpar chargers. Experts recommend that users keep a close eye on the charging process, as neglecting this can lead to disastrous outcomes, including potential fires. Honestly, in our busy lives, who has time to monitor a hoverboard while it charges? The last thing I want is for my child’s new toy to start smoking while I’m just trying to get through my to-do list.
Interestingly, 2015 was the year predicted in Back to the Future for the arrival of real hoverboards. While some might call this a coincidence, one has to wonder if manufacturers rushed these products to market to ride the wave of pop culture hype. Most hoverboards originate from Shenzhen, China, regardless of the brand label on the box. Those who were early adopters and faced fiery mishaps might speculate that these devices haven’t undergone sufficient testing before being sold to the eager public. The only hoverboard I’ve encountered was beneath the feet of a confident young adult who declared its greatness just before tumbling off twice, leaving me to wonder about the safety of such gadgets.
Exploding, flames, and spontaneous combustion are not phrases I want to consider when thinking about gifts for my child. While we can’t shield our kids from every risk – whether it’s riding bikes, skiing, or enjoying water slides – we, as parents, always weigh risk against reward. In the case of hoverboards, it might be wise to let manufacturers refine these products a bit more before we dive headfirst into the trend.
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In summary, while hoverboards are undeniably popular and trendy, potential dangers associated with them should give parents pause. We should consider waiting for more product refinement before fully embracing this year’s hot gadget.