A nationwide recall has been issued for certain hoverboards after two children died in a fire that was sparked by an overheated battery pack inside the device.
The recall is for 42-volt Jetson Rogue self-balancing scooters/hoverboards, manufactured by New York-based Jetson Electric Bikes LLC. About 53,000 units are included in the recall.
The lithium-ion battery packs in the self-balancing scooters/hoverboards can overheat, posing a fire hazard.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a 10-year-old girl and her 15-year-old sister died from a fire on April 1, 2022 in Hellertown, Pennsylvania that was connected to a hoverboard.
"The Hellertown Borough Fire Marshal determined that a 42-volt Jetson Rogue was the point of origin of the fire. The fire then spread from the room of origin to other portions of the house, resulting in the deaths of the two girls and smoke inhalation injuries to the girls' parents," the agency said.
There have also been multiple other reports of the recalled hoverboards burning, sparking or melting -- several of which involved reports of flames, the CPSC added.
This recall involves all 42-volt Jetson Rogue self-balancing scooters/hoverboards, which have two wheels and light-up hubcaps on the wheels, and come in the following colors: black, blue, red, pink, and purple, all with a black platform. Jetson is printed on one side of the body and the top of the footpads.
Affected units were manufactured in 2018 and 2019 and have a serial number beginning with the letters "ROG." The serial number is located on a sticker affixed to the underside of the unit.
The hoverboards were sold at Target stores nationwide and online at target.com from August 2018 to June 2019, and online at ridejetson.com from January 2019 to November 2021 for between $100 and $149.99.
Consumers are advised to immediately stop using and stop charging the recalled 42-volt version of the hoverboard and contact Jetson for a full refund. Jetson is also contacting all known purchasers directly.
The CPSC recently reminded consumers to exercise caution with micromobility devices such as hoverboards.
"Consumers should always be present when charging such devices and only charge them with their supplied charger," the agency said. "Do not use recalled hoverboards or other recalled micromobility devices."
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