
The company has yanked the product until it can conduct safety checks.
If you’re looking to buy a hoverboard off Amazon for Christmas — specifically, the two-wheeled version — you won’t be able to get them off Amazon for now.
That’s because the online retailer has pulled them from its shelves over safety concerns about them catching fire, according to a The Verge report.
It’s not a permanent ban, so at some point you’ll be able to buy these two-wheeled scooters, but Amazon will first need to run some safety checks. Segway was the manufacturer that confirmed Amazon was yanking the hoverboards, according to the report.
Amazon will require hoverboard manufacturers to submit documentation that demonstrates their products meet safety standards.
In a statement provided to The Verge, Swagway said the retailer sent a notice to hoverboard sellers to provide documentation that hoverboards specifically meet battery and charger safety standards.
“Swagway already meets all those certifications and is happy that Amazon has decided to take steps to weed out the low quality boards,” Swagway wrote. “As safety is always on the forefront for Swagway, we’re glad that this is taking place, especially in light of recent concerns with the fires with the poor quality batteries. On that note, we’re also in the process of working on measures, to help consumers identify between an authentic Swagway and the many imitation boards that are adding our branded logo to their unauthorized boards. Meanwhile, we ask that consumers only purchase from authorized retailers as an added precaution.”
As a result, you won’t be able to find some hoverboards on Amazon, including those for Swagway and other popular models.
The ban stems from reports of hoverboard fires which have cropped up in nine states recently. A total of 10 reports have been made about hoverboards, prompting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to get involved. Some major airlines have even banned them from flights, and Overstock.com stopped selling them.
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