Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, CPSC NEWS—SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT—CPSC warns consumers of fire hazard associated with New High-Tech hoverboards, (Feb 12, 2020)

By Colleen Kave, J.D.

Lithium ion battery may overheat; product fails to comply with applicable UL safety standard.

Yesterday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) notified the public that the lithium ion batteries in New High-Tech Enterprise Company Inc.’s X1-5 hoverboard can overheat, posing a fire hazard that can lead to smoke inhalation or other serious injuries, including death. The agency is aware of one report of an X1-5 hoverboard overheating and smoking (CPSC News Release, No. 20-065, February 11, 2020).

According to CPSC, hoverboards should be compliant with the UL2272 safety standard. Although the X1-5 bears a UL mark, the product is no longer UL-listed, and a sample tested by CPSC did not conform to UL2272. CPSC has asked New High Tech Enterprise Company Inc. to recall the product, but the company has refused to do so. Consequently, at this time, CPSC is warning consumers not to charge or use X1-5 hoverboards.

The New High-Tech Enterprise Company Inc. X1-5 hoverboard was sold to consumers online at www.nhthoverboard.com, www.Amazon.com, and at www.ewheelsusa.com/hoverboard/. A white label on the bottom of the hoverboard states: "Model: X1-5" and "Product Name: Balance Scooter." A holographic UL label is also on the bottom of the hoverboard.

CPSC continues to urge consumers to look for the UL mark on hoverboards. Consumers should report any incidents with the X1-5 hoverboard or other consumer products to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

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