NEW YORK – The U.S. government is cracking down on hoverboards.
In a letter to manufacturers, importers and retailers, U.S. regulators said they will seize or recall any of the two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters, which were a huge hit this holiday season, if they fail to meet federal safety standards.
"Self-balancing scooters that do not meet these voluntary safety standards pose an unreasonable risk of fire to consumers," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in letter issued Thursday. "Consumers risk serious injury or death if their self-balancing scooters ignite and burn."
Regulators noted 52 reports of fires in 24 states that users say were caused by hoverboards. Those fires led to $2 million in property damage, including the destruction of two homes and an automobile. It said many of those incidents would not have happened if the hoverboards met existing standards.
Concerns that lithium ion batteries inside the hoverboards could spark a fire have led to bans by several airlines and college campuses.
In a newly released video, CPSC showcases the hoverboards scientists and engineers have been testing as they try to determine what is making them catch fire.
Regulators said hoverboards that do not meet safety standards will be considered defective and may be seized while being imported into the country.
"In view of the foregoing, I urge you to review your product line and ensure that all self-balancing scooters that you manufacture, import, distribute, or sell in the United States are in compliance with the above referenced voluntary safety standards," the letter said. "The CPSC staff will follow-up as appropriate in the future to ensure that the firms are meeting their obligations in this area."
Besides the risk of fires, some parents have taken their children to the hospital for bumps, bruises and broken bones from falling off their hoverboards.
During the holiday season, Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital said it saw 10 hoverboard-related patients with injuries from contusions to concussions to broken bones.
"When the battery died, it locked up and he flew," one mother, Denise Perez, told Local 10 News. "He snapped his arm in half and broke his wrist."
Matthew Perez, 10, suffered a gruesome compound fracture of his wrist on the hoverboard that was given to him by his grandparents for Christmas.
"They called 911 and they airlifted him to Joe DiMaggio (Children's Hospital) and immediately took him in to surgery," Denise Perez said.
Attorney Norm Kent said he expects a spate of hoverboard-related lawsuits.
"They sold it anyway because they put corporate greed over your personal safety -- that's what we're going to take to a jury," Kent said.
However, it may be next to impossible to track down manufacturers as many hoverboards are made overseas in places like China, and there's no identifying information on the box.
Some don't even have the name of a company, but Kent said even without a manufacturer, those injured may have recourse.
"If not the manufacturer liable, you can hold the distributor liable," Kent said.
Click here to read to the full letter sent to hoverboard manufacturers, importers and retailers by the CPSC.