After Fire, County Officials Urge Caution with Hoverboards; DB Electronics says Theirs Haven’t Had Any Issues; Tips (PHOTO)

hoverboard turxAfter a hoverboard caught fire during charging in an Ocean County home yesterday, officials are urging owners to keep on eye on the toy as it charges.

“Be careful when charging up (hoverboards), we responded to a call today due to a hoverboard catching fire,” the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department wrote.

The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the cause of the fire at a home in Lacey Township. The investigation determined the battery pack in the device exploded while it was being charged. The fire was minor, and the family, which was home at the time, was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries.

DB Electronics, who sold many of hoverboards, says people need to be careful about where they purchases the items, as many companies sell cheaply-made products.

“We did a lot of research prior to ordering them to ensure the companies were up to par,” DB Electronics manager Yitzy Back tells TLS. “We have not had any issues or complaints from customers.”

Some other fires reported around the U.S. also started when the hoverboard was charging, but DB Electronics says they have not had an issue with theirs.

“We use 4-5 of them in the store all the time, and leave them charging overnight and have not had any problems,” Back says, though he recommends not leaving them plugged in over night.

Ocean County public safety officials are urging residents who may have purchased a hoverboard to be cautious especially when charging the device.

lanoka hoverboard“A fire in Lacey Township on Dec. 27 was apparently caused by faulty batteries that were being charged in a hoverboard,” said Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy. “We want our residents to be safe. Anyone who purchased a hoverboard for the holidays or before needs to check with the manufacturer of the device or the Consumer Product Safety Commission which is already investigating reports of hoverboard fires in at least 10 states.”

“Hoverboards were a popular item this Christmas,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “It’s important to raise public awareness of its potential hazards.”

Earlier this month, Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliot F. Kaye issued a statement regarding the hoverboards.

In his statement, Kaye recommended for those who are using a hoverboard (or what some companies are calling a smart board or balance board), some tips, based on what the Consumer Product Safety Commission knows so far, to help reduce the risk of an incident:

• Avoid buying the product at a location (like a mall kiosk) or on a website that does not have information about who is selling the product and how they can be contacted if there is a problem. If you do not think you could find the seller again, were a problem to arise with your board, that should be a warning to you not to do business with them.
• Do not charge a hoverboard overnight or when you are not able to observe the board.
• Charge and store in an open dry area away from combustibles (meaning items that can catch fire).
• Do not charge directly after riding. Let the device cool for an hour before charging.
• If giving a hoverboard to someone for the holidays, leave it in its partially charged state. Do not take it out of the package to bring it to a full charge and then wrap it back up. Often, the product comes partially charged. Leave it in that state until it is ready to be used.
• Look for the mark of a certified national testing laboratory. While this does not rule out counterfeits, the absence of such a mark means your safety is likely not a priority for that manufacturer.
• Do not ride near vehicular traffic.
• This tip needs to be reiterated: It is important to wear safety gear when using a hoverboard. We recommend the same safety gear that you would wear when riding a skateboard — a skateboard helmet, and knee and elbow pads and wrist guards for protection from falls.

Ocean County officials along with Kaye are urging consumers to report incidents to CPSC via www.SaferProducts.gov.

[TLS]

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