Hoverboards recalled due to fire hazard

Health Canada sad the lithium-ion battery in the hoverboard can overheat and cause a potential burn and fire hazard. (Source: Health Canada)

Thousands of hoverboards are being recalled because of potential burn and fire hazards.

Health Canada has recalled the Swagway X1 Hands-Free Smartboard brand of self-balancing scooters, also known as hoverboards. This model was sold in gold, black, white, blue, green, red and pink colours.

The affected products have a silver sticker on the bottom with serial numbers 000001-008000 or a white sticker with serial number 020001 or higher. They were sold between September 2015 and July 2016 in various stores.

Health Canada sad the lithium-ion battery in the hoverboard can overheat and cause a potential burn and fire hazard.

About 5,000 affected hoverboards were sold in Canada, and about 267,000 were sold in the United States.

While there haven’t been any reports of incidents or injuries in Canada, there have been 42 reports of the battery packs smoking, catching fire or exploding in the U.S. There are 16 reported injuries, including burns to the neck, leg and arm or severe property damage.

Anyone who bought the product should contact Swagway LLC by telephone toll-free at 1-800-242-0898 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST Monday through Friday, or through the company's website.