Hot Holiday Gift, Hoverboards Might Pose Fire Hazard

They're a hot holiday item and apparently getting hotter: Hoverboards, or rollerboards, are one of the most popular gifts this year, but some firefighters are warning of the dangers, not from falling, but from sparking.

While these hoverboards don't actually hover, they're popularity among kids, adults, commuters and celebrities are soaring. But just as fast as they're catching on, people say, they're catching fire.

In Alabama, Timothy Cade posted video, saying his hoverboard burst into flames just three days after he bought it. A Louisiana family blames a new hoverboard for destroying their home when it caught on fire.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is now investigating those claims, and this week, another instance in Florida: A family claims their device exploded in the kitchen, seconds after their 11-year-old was riding it.

"She felt it get hot, she jumped off, and it was in flames," said mother Pam Levine.

Firefighters in Florida said parents should only buy the boards that are UL certified: "Be careful what you purchase," one chief in South Florida told reporters.

Armin Monajemi, manager of Drones Plus in Santa Clara, sells a model of these hoverboards. He says, the cheaper the board, the higher the risk - because 80 percent of the weight is the lithium ion battery.

"The way they've been manufactured plays the most important role in the safety of the LiPo battery.

Monajemi says, like anything, the quality of the hoverboard is key and anyone should do their research before buying one.

"Everything looks the same, but what's inside the product as far as the batteries, they're all different," Monajemi said.

Monajemi says expect to pay at least $400 for a quality hoverboard.

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