Hoverboards are Gen Z’s favorite playtoy to travel around and have fun. And as such, it is imperative to ask how to protect your hoverboard from fire hazards. Most of the hoverboards in the market are equipped with Lithium-ion batteries and are delicate yet powerful.
Even though the said battery pack is the best choice for hoverboards, they can be volatile and dangerous in extreme conditions. Many hoverboard experts have come up with the best solutions, but there are high chances of hoverboards exploding. So that brings us to the key question, how to protect your hoverboard from fire hazards?
Hoverboards come with UI 2272 certification that certifies the quality of the battery, the board and checks if it meets all the standards required. It is essential to cross-check the UI 2272 certification before you buy a hoverboard. Check for recalls and be careful about buying recalled hoverboards.
There are many hoverboards in the market, and a beginner would be confused about what to buy and how to maintain them. So, let’s dive right into the article and understand why the boards explode, which one to buy and how to maintain the self-balancing scooters.
Why are Hoverboards Exploding?
The main reason hoverboards are exploding is because of their lithium-ion batteries. The batteries can explode for two reasons: cheap quality and mistreatment. Lithium-ion batteries are pretty standard among many electric devices, but it is rare that companies invest a high amount to get high-quality batteries for their devices.
It is very difficult to differentiate between good and bad batteries, but it is okay to say that mass-produced hoverboards use cheaper batteries. The hoverboards brands cut costs on the batteries, and the boards are sold for cheaper rates.
Secondly, the batteries are lept inside the footrest, making it an easy target every time you go on a ride. Rough and harsh driving can also hurt the battery inside.
Driving in a hot climate can also be one of the reasons. The roads are hot, and the rough driving can lead to sparks, and eventually, the battery explodes. Many riders mistreat their hoverboards and leave them in the hot sun or throw the boards around. The battery gets damaged, and eventually, when you turn it on, it explodes.
Sometimes, overcharging weakens the battery, and a continuous charge will short circuit the battery, and the board can catch on fire. A defective charger can severely damage battery cells and roast them over prolonged charging. The boards do not always catch fire. Most of the time, the battery dies, or the circuit crashes completely. Hoverboard safety is vital.
Which Hoverboards Do Not Catch Fire?
There is no precise way to assure you which hoverboards will or will not catch fire. The entire concept of hoverboards is very new and recent, and there is very little data on its models. It all comes down to what quality battery is used and how well you treat the hoverboard.
The best way to get the right product is to stay away from the cheap hoverboards. Even though the price might be very appealing, check for the specs of the board, the quality, and the brand.
You will find many types of hoverboards on Amazon, Target, and other websites, but check for the top-notch hoverboard brands like Swagtron, Segway, Jetson, Tomoloo, and Sisigad. Even though they are pricier, they are of better quality and give better performance.
6 Safety Tips to Protect Your Hoverboard From an Explosion
Here are a few tips to protect your hoverboards from catching fire.
Buy Hoverboards with UL certification
Always avoid buying hoverboard without UL certification. They are made of lower-quality material, and the batteries are mass-produced. They are prone to lower performance and easy short-circuiting. The best way to buy a hoverboard is to check out our buying guide.
After many fire incidents, the US government introduced electrical certification of the hoverboards, UI 2272 certification of 2 wheels self-balancing scooters. Check for the UI certification before buying the hoverboard. Try Amazon because it sells most of the certified hoverboards. Always check for the hoverboard manufacturers before buying.
Check out our list of cheap hoverboards with UL certification which come with good quality material, batteries and UL certified but at a lower price.
Keep Your Board Away from Water
Just like every other electronic device, hoverboards should also be kept away from water. If the water seeps in by any chance, make sure you let the water dry or keep it aside for a minimum of 4 hours before switching it on.
Never switch on the device immediately. Let it dry. Use tissues and clean them up as much as possible. Never use a dryer to dry the water, it heats up the battery, and there are high chances of short-circuiting the battery. Once the water seeps in, try opening it and let it dry if the board can be opened. Do not charge the board after the water incident. It shoots the battery and can catch fire easily.
Don’t Charge the Hoverboard too Long
Never leave hoverboards on charge for really long, especially overnight. A faulty switch or plug without a fuse or defective charger can lead to overheating the battery leading to an explosion. With a cheap set of batteries, electronic devices are victims of fire accidents.
Check for the charging time on the board, and charge the board accordingly. Never leave it unattended during charging. Many of the premium quality boards take a max of 3 hours to charge fully. Remove boards from charging as soon as it’s fully booted up because fully charged batteries are unstable and pose a higher risk of overheating and bursting over time.
Keep it around 90% to be on a safer side. If you want to know more, check out our Hoverboard charging guide to get precise steps to charge the hoverboard.
Keep your Hoverboard in a Cool Area
Batteries are very reactive to the external environment and temperatures. Too much heat can overheat the battery of the board. Try driving the hoverboard in mild climates, on dry days, and definitely not in mid-noon. The hot sun will heat up the device pretty soon, and even the roads add to the heat. The metal wheels can spark up on the hot road and eventually burst.
Keep the board in a cool area or covered when it’s not in use. Park it in the shade and give your board a break after a long ride.
Don’t fully charge the hoverboard if you are not using it
Charging the hoverboard constantly can weaken the board’s battery. Never put the hoverboard on the charge unless it’s consumed at least 60% after riding. If the board is not in use, do not charge it often. Once or twice before the actual ride is sufficient enough. Overcharging without use will damage the battery cells and eventually burst up.
Consider the Surface While Riding the Hoverboard
The batteries are kept below the footrest in the hoverboards. The high-end hoverboards have their batteries covered and secured, while most of them have their batteries unsecured. They are exposed to the roads, and rough riding will damage the batteries.
The roads also play a role in hurting the batteries. Rough and rugged road surfaces can scratch and kick the batteries and cause massive damage. It is very important to cross-check the roads’ surfaces before riding your hoverboard.
For terrain roads, you can use all-terrain hoverboards that are specifically designed for these kinds of roads. Their batteries are kept inside with a sturdy material around to protect them.
Conclusion
Hoverboards are the new trend among the youth. They are really fun and exciting vehicles, but it is vital to make sure you maintain them right to avoid any danger. Hoverboards use lithium-ion batteries that are sensitive to heat, overcharging, and rough handling.
The best way to prevent fires and explosions is to buy premium hoverboards and maintain them without damaging the battery cells. Rough handling is strict to be avoided. Follow the tips above to protect your hoverboard from fire hazards! Well, ride in style but safely!
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