While they are one of the most popular items on the market, so-called hoverboards also come with their fair-share of horror stories. Burnaby’s Dan Krstic and his family witnessed the latest.
The family was charging a friend’s hoverboard inside their house when they all of a sudden started hearing explosions coming from the hallway.
“It was like there was a fireworks show,” said Krstic, who ran into the hallway to find the hoverboard exploding in flames.
He dragged the toy down the hallway and out of the house, just missing some flying shrapnel to his head. Once outside, he counted at least 16 pieces of shrapnel spread over the front yard.
The heat was so intense it melted the carpet it was sitting on and the paint off the interior wall nearby.
“All the battery cells started to explode and they were shooting past me as I was yanking it down the stairs… two of them just missed my head.”
When the family first tried out the hoverboard when a friend brought it over, they were interested in buying one for themselves. Now, they’re certain their future will be hoverboard-free.
“If you’re going to buy a hoverboard, buy a legitimate one that’s been certified, otherwise never ever leave them plugged in and leave the house or you’ll be coming back to no house.”
Krstic says the toy, called the Smart Balance Wheel, was purchased at a store at Metrotown and he has been in touch with the manager.