As the holiday season approached, Amazon made a surprising move: they removed one of the season’s hottest toys from their site. Now, the tech giant is taking even more drastic measures to ensure that unsafe hoverboards don’t pose further risks to their owners. They’re urging customers to dispose of these potentially dangerous devices at an electronics recycling facility and are offering full refunds within just three days.
Hoverboards surged in popularity last year, likely due to their appeal as a fun and trendy gadget for kids. These self-balancing scooters allow riders to glide along without any effort—after all, who needs exercise when you can stand still and zoom around? Often likened to a budget Segway sans handlebars, the term “hoverboard” is a bit misleading, as they don’t actually hover at all.
However, the surge in demand has led to serious safety concerns. Many of these hoverboards, primarily manufactured in China, have been reported to be poorly constructed. Faulty charging mechanisms have been known to overheat and even ignite, resulting in multiple house fires across the UK. One incident in a Washington mall was caught on camera, showcasing the alarming risks associated with these gadgets.
In Alabama, a woman experienced a devastating house fire attributed to a hoverboard, while a Louisiana man reported one catching fire during use. The combination of cheap design and festive holiday cheer proved to be a hazardous mix, leading to a slew of injuries during Christmas celebrations. Dads across social media showcased their less-than-graceful attempts to master the devices, often resulting in hilarious mishaps.
In response to the uproar, Amazon sent out an apology email to affected customers, detailing the steps for recycling their hoverboards and assuring that those with non-compliant plugs would receive refunds within three days. Unfortunately, hoverboards will likely be remembered as one of the biggest gift blunders of 2015.
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In summary, Amazon’s decision to recall hoverboards highlights the importance of safety in holiday gifts. As customers are encouraged to recycle these faulty devices, the company’s commitment to ensuring customer safety is commendable, albeit in a rather unfortunate situation.