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For all the latest energy safety news visit www.esv.vic.gov.au
Summer 2016
energysafe issue 42
Dodgy hoverboard
causes house fire
By Michelle Robertson, Senior Media
and Communications Adviser
ESV and the ACCC continue to warn of
the dangers of electric balancing scooters,
or “hoverboards”, after a family home in
Strathmore was gutted when one caught
fire while charging.
The fire was triggered by a faulty battery
that exploded just five minutes after it was
plugged in to charge. The product was
purchased from a NSW distributor and did
not comply with national safety standards.
Thirteen brands of hoverboard have now
been recalled due to non-compliant
battery chargers and cords posing a risk
of fire or electrocution.
Check for compliance marks
ESV’s Director of Energy Safety, Paul Fearon,
said consumers should beware of non-compliant
hoverboards that were sold in the lead-up to
Christmas, without meeting Australia’s strict
safety standards.
ESV is also asking consumers not to buy
hoverboards online from overseas suppliers
as they may not meet Australian standards.
“The hoverboard and its charger should
be stamped with the Australian Regulatory
Compliance Mark, which is a tick surrounded
by a triangle,” Mr Fearon said.
“Hoverboards and chargers that don’t
have a regulatory compliance mark are
illegal and could be dangerous.”
After checking that the unit carries the
regulatory compliance mark, owners should
follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly
when using and charging their hoverboard.
“Only use the approved battery charger
that came with the hoverboard, and don’t
charge the unit if there are any signs of
damage or faults.
“Have the hoverboard checked by
a professional if you have any concerns.”
Fire risk due to batteries
While all electrical goods sold in Australia
must meet specified safety standards, it is
difficult to track hoverboards and other
products bought online from overseas suppliers.
ESV inspectors have been visiting stores
around Victoria to ensure only approved and
compliant models are being sold.
Hoverboards became popular last year
and are priced from around $300 to $1700.
The motorised, self-balancing scooters have an
in-built battery charged via a main power source.
Some batteries do not comply with
Australian standards, resulting in the risk
of overheating, catching fire or exploding.
Hoverboards have caused numerous fires
No fun: The non-compliant hoverboard (left) that exploded while charging. Consumers should
check that hoverboards carry the Regulatory Compliance Mark for Australian standards (above).
worldwide and many airlines prohibit them
onboard flights.
Penalties for supplying non-compliant
hoverboards are up to $4000 for individuals
and $30,000 for companies.
Recalled models
The ACCC is recalling the following products:
»» Moonwalker two-wheel scooter by Hunter
Sports, sold at Big W from December 5 to 11
»» Sello Products self-balancing two-wheel
scooter, sold on Ebay from December 4–15
»» AirWalk Self-Balancing Scooter sold
online via catchoftheday.com.au from
13 November–16 December
»» Go Skitz Self Balancing E Boards
models S01 and S03 (charger only)
sold from 26 November to 29 December
via goeasyaustralia.com.au,
goeasyonline.com.au, kogan.com.au,
Toyworld, Harvey Norman Big Buys and
Anaconda stores
»» Techwheel Z-01 (charger only), sold online
through groupon.com.au, theactive.com.au,
brandsexclusive.com.au, ozsale.com.au,
techwheel.com.au
»» Ohmama—“Swegway” Hoverboard,
sold nationally through Ohmama eBay
store and Gumtree from 20 December 2015
to 10 January 2016
»» Smart Wheels Australia Pty Ltd—“Neo”
Hoverboard (charger and appliance connector
only), sold in Victoria, South Australia
and Western Australia by Jed Group of
Companies, supplied by Smart Wheels
Australia Pty Ltd from 21 December 2015
to 13 January 2016
»» TCB Contracting Pty Limited—Balancing
Scooter “Hoverboard”, sold nationally
on gumtree.com.au in December 2015
»» Scooter Emporium—Self Balancing
Scooter “Hoverboard” with Charger,
sold in Queensland at Scooter Emporium
from December 1 to 17th December
»» Freego Australasia Pty Ltd—Freego
Hoverboard W1, W2 and W2SR
(charger only), sold nationally by
F1 Agencies, Sports Power, Toy Land
and Just Sport
»» Smart Scooter ANZ—Smart Scooter
“Hoverboard” (charger only), sold online
at smartscooteranz.com.au from
3 to 20 December 2015
»» Jyro Pty Ltd—Jyro Self-Balancing
2 Wheel “Hoverboard” Electric Scooter,
sold online at myjyro.com from
1 November to 4 December
»» Mod Products—Mod Board “Hoverboard”
Model MOD001 (charger only), sold
nationally through modboard.com.au
from 6 November to 15 December.
Click here to visit the ACCC
Product Recalls website