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Federal Government Says Hoverboards Are Unsafe

NPR
Published February 19, 2016 at 1:33 PM EST
People ride their hoverboards on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, California on December 10, 2015. These so-called hoverboards, or self-balancing electric scooters, are surging in popularity in the first season where they have been available at relatively affordable prices -- as low as $300 for some models. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)
People ride their hoverboards on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, California on December 10, 2015. These so-called hoverboards, or self-balancing electric scooters, are surging in popularity in the first season where they have been available at relatively affordable prices -- as low as $300 for some models. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has wrapped up its investigation into the safety-hazards posed by hoverboards. Its verdict is unambiguous: no hoverboard currently on the market is safe.

The CPSC sent out an official notice yesterday with new hoverboard safety standards to retailers, manufacturers and importers. The notice called for non-compliant hoverboards to be taken off the market as well. To discuss the news, Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson speaks with Mike Regan of Bloomberg Gadfly.

[Youtube]

Guest

  • Mike Regan, columnist at Bloomberg Gadfly. He tweets @Reganonymous.

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