Christmas Wishlist 2015: How To Buy The Right Hoverboard Amidst Explosion Issues

Hoverboards quickly gained attention in the market for their ability to transport its users around without them breaking a sweat, making the device quickly sought after. However, news now emerges that these two-wheeled gadgets have caused accidents for some after they blew up. 

According to Tech Times, the United Kingdom officials alerted those who are eyeing these self-balancing scooters this Christmas as a gift to themselves or for their loved ones, as they have "explosion risks." In fact, thousands of units have been confiscated in the U.K. after they failed tests, which showed that these e-boards have the tendency to explode and burst into fire.

This Christmas season, the sales of hoverboards have suddenly increased, but some reports suggested that some of the imported units have "poor quality" that can be hazardous to its users. Just this weekend, the retailers of car parts, Halfords, revoked all their Air Runner Balance Board units when they found that their £499 ($754) priced segways were sold in spite of having some plug and charger issues that didn't pass the U.K.'s standards.

CNBC reported the explosions were because the hoverboards were made with lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries. If these batteries touched any metal object, like keys, coins or tools at both of its ends, which can cause extreme heat that will lead to a spark and then ends with a fire.

Meanwhile, here are some tips from Gloucestershire Echo that will guide you how to buy the right hoverboards to avoid unwanted accidents.

•  Never leave hoverboards while charging, especially overnight. Although people typically leave their gadgets charging while they are sleeping, this can actually lead to overheating, which can cause the gaget to explode or start a fire.
•  Thoroughly check the unit's plugs and markings to see if they are defective. Additionally, check the manufacturer, design, and contact details so that you know who to reach in case the device is defective.
•  Meticulously check for reviews about the brand you want to buy. If purchasing online, check the website to see if it's a legitimate seller or fake.
•  Find the company's head office indicated in the information section of the unit's box, or on their website.
•  Also, check if their grammar is correct, from sentence construction to word spellings to incorrect English. This can help you to find out if the hoverboard you are about to buy is an imitation.
•  Most importantly, remember that wrongdoers are on the loose every Christmas season and they, too, are riding the hype just to earn. Hence, imitated Hoverboards are everywhere.

Watch this hoverboard review by TechSmart to help you identify the original hoverboards.