Consumers asked to report hoverboard injuries and fires

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is asking hoverboard owners to report fires when charging the devices and injuries sustained while riding the popular Christmas gift.

Twenty-two hoverboard fires in 17 states and at least 70 injuries resulting in an emergency department visit have been reported. Hoverboards are self-balancing, battery-powered scooters. In a Tweet, the safety commission asks consumers to report additional fires and injuries to SaferProducts.gov.

#hoverboards: 22 reports of fires in at least 17 states (report to us at https://t.co/qFWdMF6Xk0). 70 ER-treated injuries & counting #GearUp

— U.S. CPSC (@USCPSC) December 28, 2015

A Florida man fell off a hoverboard, fracturing his leg in several places. He told 10News that he has more than $100,000 in medical bills from his injury.

Politicians and celebrities post hoverboard fails to social sites

Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson posted a instagram video of his hoverboard fall. 

 

#hoverboard #knockout #MikeTysonBreaksBack #imtoooldforthisshit @getcyboard

A video posted by Mike Tyson (@miketyson) on Dec 29, 2015 at 10:35am PST

U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, Florida, fell off his kid's hoverboard and tweeted a photo of his broken arm in a sling after visiting the hospital.

Confirmed - #hoverboard is for kids. My daughter got it. I ended up in @BaptistHealthSF #ER. #hoverboardChristmas. pic.twitter.com/ADRrYBB81J

— Carlos Curbelo (@carloslcurbelo) December 26, 2015

Twitter and Instagram users have posted videos of hoverboard falls with the hashtag #hoverboardfail.

Somebody's getting fired #hoverboardfail #afv (Vine by @Michael_BBlack) https://t.co/2M1EP4uf6x

— Michael Artis (@IDJMIKEY) December 26, 2015

CBS12 News posted compilation of hoverboard falls on its Facebook page.

In early December Amazon.com stopped selling some hoverboard models and a U.K. teenager riding a hoverboard was killed when he collided with a bus.