Balance Boards, commonly called hoverboards, are one of the hottest holiday toys this year, are catching fire - literally. Retailers in the U.K. have been stocking up on the self-propelled, two-wheeled devices in anticipation for the holiday shopping season, however safety officials have impounded almost 90 percent of the 17,000 boards shipped to the country over the past six weeks because of a faulty plug that could increases the risk of it bursting into flames, according to FOX News.
Officials determined that due to a lack of a fuse, the boards could overheat if they remained plugged in after the batteries are fully charged. Most of the seized boards had been purchased online, to be sold online. However, boards at in-store retailers also exhibited the same problem, according to CNN.
Major retailer Halfords recalled three types of "Air Runner Self Balance Boards" in November after learning that the plugs and charger didn't meet British safety standards, and Costco Wholesale U.K., sent new plugs to some who purchased Air Runner boards since "there could be a risk of electrocution."
Even if the risk of a fire wasn't present with the boards, various law enforcement agencies have taken a stance against the boards banning their use to varying degrees. In October, London police determined that hoverboards could only be ridden on private property, while the NYPD in November determined that the use of the boards are illegal entirely.
On the other hand, California has taken a completely different stance on the boards, making them legal to use on bike paths starting Jan. 1.
Enthusiasts say the boards don't go fast enough to warrant being affected by bans on unlicensed motorized vehicles, while dissenters say the boards are vehicles, and, as such, can't be driven on sidewalks.
