The US government plans to crack down on hoverboards by seizing them if they fail to meet federal safety standards.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a letter to manufacturers on Thursday citing 52 reports of fires caused by the two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters. The fires led to $2 million in property damages that destroyed two homes and one automobile.
“Consumers risk serious injury or death if their self-balancing scooters ignite and burn," the letter reads. "Should the staff encounter such products at import, we may seek detention and/or seizure. In addition, if we encounter such products domestically, we may seek a recall of these products.”
Officials said that lithium ion batteries inside the scooters could spark fires, which have led to bans at schools, airports and other venues across the states.
Hoverboards are currently banned in the streets of New York and London.
