Hoverboards are this century’s favorite toy to travel and goof around. Irrespective of age, they are cherished by everyone. Hoverboard safety is a top priority when it comes to buying one.
This self-balancing scooter has its own downsides. Even hoverboards manufactured with utmost quality and safety might not meet the required safety standards.
It is essential to check the brand, the certification, the material used to manufacture the board. And also the instruction manual to understand how the scooter is supposed to be maintained.
Hoverboard safety concerns are not something to be ignored. Falling off the board while riding can cause serious head injuries, concussions, fractures, and in the worst cases, even death. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission states that although hoverboards are safe, you need to be careful of fake products available in the market.
They usually don’t have a UL certification. To help you start an exciting yet secure riding journey, here are a few hoverboard safety tips to consider.
Quality of the Hoverboards
The quality of the hoverboard is the first thing you need to check before you buy one. The current market is flooded with numerous hoverboard manufacturers, but not all of them are legit. Many fake ones resemble top-quality boards, and it’s easy to get fooled.
Avoid buying cheap hoverboards as they are made of low-quality materials and have mass-produced lithium-ion batteries. They have poor performance and damage easily. They can also lead to fire hazards. The best hoverboards come with top-notch material quality and long-lasting batteries.
They can be pricey, but they are UL 2272 certified and promise absolute safety.
Know Where you Can Ride
Hoverboards are everyone’s favorite for a reason. You can ride them anywhere and everywhere. Be it smooth roads, rough terrains, or cobbled pavements, all you have to do is check for the hoverboards you can ride for the specific roads.
Some cities in the world have banned the use of hoverboards in public spaces. So you must check the local laws before you hop onto your board.
For instance, New York City has it banned, and a penalty of $500 has to be paid if you get caught. Hoverboards have been banned for 180 years in the UK, but you can surf them on private properties.
It is also banned on college campuses like George Washington University due to fire risks.
Steer Clear and Don’t Over Use It
Riding a hoverboard is super fun once you get the hang of it. But every beginner will have some difficulty balancing and controlling them in one direction. It is essential to understand that even hoverboards have a limit.
It is okay to bump and crash when you start learning. But you must realize that hoverboards need to be maintained to work long. Start practicing on clear roads or your balcony till you’re accustomed to it.
Do not ride the hoverboard all day and night. Prolonged use can lead to battery heating which can affect its performance. Four to five hours of usage is ideally recommended, as too much bumping can impact the battery on the underside of the board.
It can cause malfunctions and can even explode in worst-case scenarios. So, it is better to steer clear of such mishaps by limiting your usage time.
Hoverboard Safety Gears
Irrespective of age, hoverboard safety gears are a must, especially for children and beginners. It takes time to get control of the boards in the right way.
Safety gears include knee and elbow pads, wrist guards, helmets, and the likes. Check out protective gear from reputed brands and buy products of premium quality only. Remember, safety comes first!
Practice as Much as You Can
Taking off on your new hoverboard without proper supervision is not a good idea. The first lesson you need to learn is to balance the board. It is not easy to get on and off the board with a single leg on the first go. It requires patience and practice.
Practice riding your board on an indoor surface like your balcony or corridor to avoid any hoverboard injury. With a smooth surface, you will learn faster and ace the act of balancing.
Once you have got control, you can slowly ride your hoverboards on the streets. Never get out on the roads until you perfect your balancing.
Reduce Riding in the Night
Even though hoverboards come with lights, they are not very bright. Riding in the night can be dangerous but not impossible. You will have to take an ample amount of precautions to make sure you are safe.
Wear white clothes so you can easily be identified in the dark. If possible, get light-up shoes that flashlight continuously. This way, you can indicate to other vehicle riders that you exist on the road.
Wear radium-stickered protection gear. You can always ride in the mornings or ride on well-lit roads at night.
Hoverboards are Not Skateboards
Hoverboards are self-balancing scooters, while skateboards are non-electronic skating boards. You can do stunts with skateboards as they can take rough handling and have no sensitive accessories attached to them like hoverboards.
It is important that you know the difference and maintains your hoverboards with care. Do not try to do stunts with your hoverboards. It might end up damaging the battery leading to hoverboard fires and serious injuries.
Do not Charge Overnight
Never keep a hoverboard on charge throughout the night. It overheats the battery and lowers its performance. Some hoverboard recalls can be very sensitive for overnight charging. So, you must use specified hoverboard chargers for your boards.
They charge the board in a max of 4 hours. For your own safety, always have a fire extinguisher at home. Overcharging can cause a short circuit of the battery, entailing fire risk.
Ride it Properly and Go Slow
Hoverboard for beginners can be overwhelming, but you will never leave the board once you get the hang of it. You will have to learn how to balance and control your footing to ace the riding.
When you get off, always remember to step backward and not forward. The dominant foot should get off first to retain support and balance. Always remember never to bend your knee and maintain your posture straight.
Your feet should be apart with your eyes on the road. It can be difficult on the first few goes, but as you work on it, you will ace it. All hoverboards come with limited speed, but it’s always better to go slow on them and cherish the ride.
Conclusion
Riding a hoverboard is undoubtedly a super fun experience! But it is important to make sure they are maintained right to deliver amazing rides.
As they involve batteries and chargers, they are most likely subject to fire risks. So before you hop onto a hoverboard and set out for an adventure, remember the aforementioned tips for hoverboard safety.
With adequate protective gear and safety precautions, you can kickstart your hoverboard journey with gusto.
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