Hoverboards: Christmas shoppers warned over 'significant' fire risk

Christmas shoppers are being urged to stay away from "dangerous" hoverboards because of the "significant" fire risk they pose.

The plea from the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents all 46 fire authorities in England and Wales, comes after retailers pulled hoverboards from their shelves following reports that faulty products had caused fires.

Jeremy Hilton, chairman of the LGA's fire services management committee, said: "Hoverboards are top of Christmas wishlists for many people this year, but these exploding gadgets can cause major fires which put lives at risk."

With major retailers pulling them from sale,

we are urging people to think twice about buying a hoverboard because of the significant fire risk associated with them.

– LGA FIRE SERVICES MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

The LGA said more than 80 per cent of 38,000 hoverboards stopped from entering the UK by Trading Standards since October have been deemed unsafe.

In on instance in Kent a fire involving a hoverboard overheating while charging caused £25,000 damage.

The LGA is advising people to avoid "fake and suspiciously cheap hoverboards", especially those being sold online.

Mr Hilton said: "Don't be tempted by the price of a hoverboard that seems too good to be true - it could cost you your life. People can have a safer Christmas by choosing not to buy one at all."

Retailers including Halfords, Amazon, John Lewis and Argos have stopped selling the self-balancing scooter in recent weeks.