15, 000 Faulty hoverboards seized

15,000 unsafe hoverboards self-balancing scooters have been seized at seaports and airport around the UK.

The fire service is warning people in Doncaster dangers of unsafe hover boards which are overheating and in danger of exploding or catching fire, as almost a third of all house fires and caused by electrical fires. Trevor Bernard head of community safety said “We advise people using these products not to leave it on charge unattended and only use a compatible charger. Avoid cheap fakes regardless of the electrical device they are using. Electrical equipment causes a third of all the house fires.

Former fire officer Ian Huggett says the charger is faulty as it does not have auto shut off and the lithum battery when it gets heated explodes.

Trading standards officers in Salford, Greater Manchester seized 90 hoverboards last month. Hoverboards became popular after similar device was seen in the 1989 film, Back to the Future 2.

According to London Fire Brigade at least three house fires were caused by such devices over 10 days in October. These substandard hoverboards are without safety fuses and has faulty cable or chargers that can burst into flames, according to Trading Standards.

Most were discovered at the Suffolk Port of Felixstowe, but some arrived at East Midlands Airport and Glasgow.