A HAUL of more than 200 “hoverboards” bound for the Scottish market in the run up to Christmas, has been seized by custom officials at Glasgow Airport.
Renfrewshire Council's Trading Standards Team, in conjunction with HMRC Border Control, have detained two separate shipments of self-balancing scooters, or so-called “hoverboards” over the past few weeks.
Officials found a catalogue of faults in 210 boards, including incorrect plug sizing, no fuses, and faulty plug pins. The adaptors supplied with them were also found to be untested.
The news comes after firefighters in England were recently called to several house fires, each involving scooters overheating after being left on charge.
Councillor Eddie Devine, Convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Environment Policy Board, said: “There’s a lot of pressure on parents at this time year to make their children’s Christmas dreams come true but these hoverboards could turn the holidays into a nightmare.
"If you’re going to buy one of these, get it from a reputable shop, be ready to pay the full price, ensure that the plug and transformer - as well as the board itself- all comply with British standards and that check it for batch numbers, serial numbers and the EC safety mark.
"If you’re buying one for a child, ensure that the motor runs on no more than 24 volts and take all precautions with protective clothing. Do not buy a hoverboard from any dubious source, online auction or listings site.”
He added: “We want to help keep people safe. If you’ve bought or been offered a hoverboard with what looks like a dodgy plug or if you’ve seen any advertised at a bargain price, please phone Trading Standards in confidence on 0300 300 0380. No one need know you’ve called and you could be saving someone from severe injury.”
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