A while ago, everyone was going bonkers about “Back to The Future” getting real. Unfortunately, no one has come up with the blueprints for a time machine, but several gadget manufacturers have come up with their own hoverboard design. But are these technical jewels safe? Hoverboards take the blame for numerous incidents, one of them being even fatal.

So, what’s a hoverboard and what is is supposed to do? If you have seen the movies, then you know why everyone is hyped. If not, during his trip to the future, the character played by Michel J. Fox was riding a device than basically lifted him into thin air.

Since then, every engineer out there wanted to make the hoverboard reality. Several failed experiments later, Segway announced that it was successful of developing a sustainable hoverboard design. Technically, Segway’s scooter isn’t actually a real hoverboard, because it does not float. Still, a hands-free scooter is better than nothing. Or so we think.

Recently, there have been a lot of disturbing news regarding similar devices going haywire and literally blowing up (and not blowing out our minds).

These rumors seem also to be fueled by Amazon’s decision to withdraw from the market several hoverboard products. According to official statements, it would seem that the products failed to meet up specification in the area of fire hazard.

Upon a closer investigations, authorities have found that the devices had non-compliant plugs. Also, these plugs didn’t even have backup fuses, thus, the risk of a house fire increases tenfold.

The London Fire Brigade reported that a crew has been dispatched after someone complained of a fire. Upon reaching the scene, the fire crew discovered that fire started due to a faulty Swagway battery charger.

And to make matters worse, it would seem that almost 90 percent of the products sold under the hoverboard category had similar issues, making them dangerous to have around the house.

Officially, this is not the main reason why Amazon decided to withdraw hoverboards from their site is entirely different. It would seem that the companies producing these gadgets are in violation of the Consumer Rights Act, which entitles each customer to a refund if they find the product to be adequate.

Apart from house fires and no refunds, it would seem that the devices are also deadly. At the beginning of the week, a teen from Alperton lost his life after he crashed into a bus. This tragical event happened while the teen was riding a Segway hoverboard.

Photo credits:www.wikipedia.org