Irish retailers warned about the purchase of Hoverboards

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission have just released important information for consumers who have or are planning to purchase Hoverboards this Christmas. 1,400 Hoverboards (also known as Smart Balance Wheels or Balance Boards) were recently prevented from being imported to Ireland due to significant safety concerns. The Commission's spokesperson Fergal O'Leary has said that the worry is over a potential risk of fire if a Hoverboard is charging and left unattended .

“If there are issues with non-compliance - with the plugs, the chargers, the battery packs - they’re big devices and the potential for something going wrong is sufficient. “Obviously we’re not trying to create panic or anything like that, but what we are doing is letting consumers know that they should be careful with these items as we have found a lot of non-compliance.”

The key message for Irish consumers is to look for proof that your purchased Hoverboard meets Irish and European safety standards, or else return the item to the point of purchase immediately. Check for the CE labelling on the item if you are buying one, but be cautious as some have been found to have fake labels attached. If you are not fully satisfied that the product you are buying is safe, simply don’t spend your money on it. If you do choose to hang on to your purchased Hoverboard, then please be completely vigilant and never leave it charging unattended, especially overnight. For further helpful information, please visit Consumer help.ie