The consumer watchdog has recalled numerous brands of the latest fad – electric scooters commonly known as ‘hoverboards’ – as the devices have been blamed for a Melbourne house fire and triggering the ire of Russell Crowe.
The two-wheeled ‘self-balancing’ toys have been a 2015 Christmas hit among children and adults alike, but the safety of the lithium ion batteries are causing authorities major concern.
One brand, the Go Skitz Self Balancing E Board, was flogged by mainstream resellers such as Kogan, Harvey Norman, Toyworld and Anaconda, but the chargers have been banned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for not meeting Australian standards.
Another recalled brand, the Hunter Sports Moonwalker, was sold by major retail chain Big W, with the ACCC warning about non-compliance of both the charger and the electrical cord.
CRN counted six other brands of hoverboards that ACCC had also recalled for either the entire device or the charger – all for not meeting Australian standards. Other brands were commonly sold directly by the manufacturer or via group buying sites such as catchoftheday.com.au.
The dangers were highlighted for one Melbourne family last week, with the ABC reporting a house fire in the north-western suburbs that was understood to have been caused by a hoverboard plugged in for charging.
Fire victim Ash Ibraheim said that he was careful to purchase hoverboards for his daughters that met Australian standards. But experts have warned any lithium ion battery can overheat when overcharged.
"Lithium ion batteries are not designed to be on charge 24 hours a day," said Metropolitan Fire Brigade senior fire investigator Rod East told the ABC.
Lithium ion battery chargers for household tools such as lawnmowers have the ability to stop charging when the battery is at 100 percent power, and some sophisticated chargers even have fans to cool the unit.
“Overcharging noncompliant devices may cause overheating of the battery and result in a fire,” said ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard. “Adults should supervise the charging of all electrical devices for children.”
Although electrical safety falls under state laws, federal minister for small business Kelly O'Dwyer last week announced that the ACCC would launch a formal investigation into the safety of hoverboard scooters.
In late December, film actor Russell Crowe publicly blasted Virgin Australia for not allowing his children's’ hoverboards onto the plane. Many airlines have prohibited the devices due to the fire risk.
"It's a timely reminder Russell Crowe got kicked off a plane because of the likelihood of these devices exploding," Melbourne Fire Brigade acting commander Phil Smith told the ABC.
ACCC hoverboard recalls
- Hunter Sports - Moonwalker Electric Balancing Scooter
- Sello Products - Self-Balancing 2 Wheel Electric Scooter
- AirWalk Self-Balancing Electric Scooter
- Techwheel Z-01
- Scooter Emporium - Self-Balancing Scooter with Charger
- Go Skitz Self-Balancing E Board - Models S01 and S03
- Mod Board 'Hoverboard' Model MOD001
- Jyro Self-Balancing 2 Wheel 'Hoverboard' Electric Scooter
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