South Yorkshire fire service issue warning over unsafe 'hoverboards'

'Unsafe' hoverboards have started a number of house fires across the country.

Some 15,000 unsafe hoverboards - otherwise known as self-balancing scooters - have been seized at ports and airports around the UK.

Trading Standards officers said the boards were in danger of overheating, exploding or catching fire.

Hoverboards, which are popular with celebrities including Lilly Allen, are expected to be big sellers this Christmas.

The South Yorkshire fire service have today raised concerns about their safety.

Head of community safety Trevor Bernard, told the Free Press: “Just because something is a new craze, that shouldn’t cloud your judgement when buying an electrical product. Counterfeit goods aren’t always easy to spot, but it’s well worth taking the time to consider the authenticity of a purchase as cheap fakes are made with inferior quality parts and often don’t meet current UK safety standards.

We particularly advise people purchasing products like this to never leave it on charge unattended and to only use a charger that’s compatible with the product. Electrical equipment causes a third of all the house fires we attend and in the UK last year electrical fires killed 50 people and injured 3,000 more, so people should be vigilant regardless of the type of electrical device they are using.”