On Friday, at least three major US airlines - Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines -- have enforced a ban against the so-called "hoverboards" amid concerns that the lithium ions batteries of these "self-balancing" devices are fire hazards on their flights. A UK carrier, British Airways, is also set to implement the ban soon.
According to an article from CBS News, "the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating 10 reports of hoverboard fires in nine states. Many of the hoverboard electric scooters have high-watt lithium batteries, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says can start fires in a plane's baggage compartments."
Lithium Ions are also used on cell phones and laptops, but they are considered "low-watt" batteries and fall within FAA regulations. The hoverboards use a much larger size and power.
A Delta spokesperson said that it had "reviewed hoverboard product specifications and found that manufacturers do not consistently provide detail about the size or power of their lithium-ion batteries. This investigation revealed devices often contain battery varieties above the government mandated 160 watt hour limit permitted aboard aircraft."
"Occurrences are uncommon" but hoverboards can "spontaneously overheat," the company added.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS POST?
Share your ideas by commenting.