Hoverboards sold over Christmas may be recalled because of fire safety concerns

CHOICE is warning many of the hoverboards sold for Christmas may not be safe and have urged owners to watch the toys “like a hawk” following a house fire.

Michael Tran uses his hoverboard on the Venice Beach Boardwalk on December 10, 2015. The hot item on many holiday lists will help you zip around town, the shopping mall and from one end of the workplace to another.These so-called "hoverboards" or self-balancing electric scooters, are surging in popularity in the first season where they have been available at relatively affordable prices -- as low as $300 for some models. AFP PHOTO/ FREDERIC J. BROWN

IT’S bad news for Aussies that got their wish for a hoverboard this Christmas.

Consumer advocate Choice is warning many of the self-balancing electric scooters sold last month may not be safe and have warned owners to watch them “like a hawk”.

The warning follows a house fire in Melbourne yesterday caused by a hoverboard — the first known case in Australia.

The hoverboard was plugged into a wall and charging in a bedroom of the house in the northwest surbub of Strathmore when it ignited.

And that comes at the back of fires caused by hoverboards overseas. Just last week in the US, a brand new hoverboard that was given to a 10-year-old as a Christmas present burst into flames inside a Brooklyn apartment while it was charging.

Six hoverboards have already been recalled in Australia and that list is expected to grow.

Choice spokeswoman Erin Turner said they feared hoverboards bought in the lead-up to Christmas may not comply with safety standards.

Fire danger ... Choice anticipates the list of recalled hoverboards in Australia is set to grow.

“We wouldn’t be surprised if there were further problems with hoverboards, particularly with those brought at Christmas,” she said.

“As far as we can tell, retailers trying to cash in on the Christmas rush have bypassed safety checks. It means there are hoverboards that haven’t been checked for compliance.”

She warned even those that are compliant pose a risk if they overcharge.

“They are very specific about disconnecting the charger once its charged. The battery technology is not as advanced,” she said.

“If it was in my home, I’d be watching it like a hawk”.

In New York, where hoverboards are illegal, the NYPD declared war on the wheels.

The ongoing problem came up as the Police Commissioner discussed the top priorities going into the New Year.

“They are illegal in the city. I think they’re actually very dangerous myself, in terms of falling off as well as the fire danger,” Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said.

Last month, Gladiator star Russell Crowe went to war with Virgin Australia Airlines after the carrier refused to allow his kids to pack their hoverboards as luggage because of the fire risk.

“Safety is our number one priority,” Virgin Australia replied.

Overcharged ... The burnt hoverboard that caused the blaze in Melbourne. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Choice advises hoverboard owners to look for the regulatory compliance mark - a tick surrounded by a triangle. For more information see erac.gov.au.

If the product is part of a recall, return it where you bought it from for a full refund.

The recalled models so far include:

Moonwalker two-wheel scooter by Hunter Sports, (Big W);

Sello Products self-balancing two-wheel electric scooter, (Ebay);

AirWalk Self-Balancing Scooter (online via Catchoftheday.com.au);

Go Skitz Self Balancing E Boards models S01 and S03 (charger only) (goeasyaustralia.com.au, goeasyonline.com.au, kogan.com.au, Toyworld, Harvey Norman Big Buys and Anaconda stores);

Scooter Emporium – Self Balancing Scooter with Charger (Scooter Emporium); and

Techwheel Z-01 (charger only), (groupon.com.au, theactive.com.au, brandsexclusive.com.au, ozsale.com.au, techwheel.com.au).