Hoverboards: they are the new and trendy self balancing scooters that have exploded in the market and seem to be in high demand for this holiday season. The problem, however, is that they actually explode. It has become apparent that half a million who will be receiving these toys from Santa this year are actually in danger, and Amazon has told customers to simply throw them away because they oftentimes catch fire and proceed to explode. Over 15,000 out of 17,000 imported scooters that have been examined at the border were deemed unsafe. Those who are more at risk are cheap, generic brands made in China. Electricians who have tested the imports say they are dangerous and illegal, with poor charging technology on top of the safety hazard. If you already bought that trendy, expensive, and exploding toy for christmas, it is recommended that you call the retailer that the device was bought from to verify the brand and safety, and you are also entitled to a full refund under the Consumer Rights Act (call 03454 04 05 06). Furthermore, if you still want a hoverboard (despite the danger), it may be difficult now, as Amazon has taken them off of the market while they investigate the safety issues. Aside from exploding, they seem to be dangerous on the roadways, as a teenager in London fell off his hoverboard and was killed by oncoming traffic. The devices are banned in Britain and in New York, except on private property. So if you were considering purchasing a hoverboard of any brand, you should look into something a little more reliable and less lethal than one of these dangerous toys.