Exploding hoverboards have gone from being an occasional mishap to a fairly regular occurrence. And since it seems like the manufacturers are in no rush to fix the problem, the Underwriters Laboratories is finally going to start certifying the self-balancing scooters so consumers can know which are safe, and which are fiery death traps.
You might not be familiar with the name Underwriters Laboratories, but you’re almost certainly familiar with the organization’s simple UL logo—even if only subconsciously—that appears on batteries, chargers, and power adapters.
The UL has been testing and certifying the power systems inside electronics for years, and has now developed a methodology for properly testing and ensuring that the electric drive train, rechargeable battery, and charging system inside a hoverboard doesn’t pose a shock risk or fire hazard.
Starting today, retailers and manufacturers can submit their hoverboards to the UL for product testing and certification, although there’s probably not going to be a stampede headed in its direction given the devices are still quite popular despite how many of the self-balancing scooters have had meltdowns. But moving forward, you might want to hold off on purchasing a new hoverboard until you can ensure it gets the UL’s official stamp of approval.
[UL]