Concerns about exploding batteries in hoverboards have prompted Somerset Waste Partnership to issue safety advice to residents in the Burnham-On-Sea area this week.
The waste collection firm says “serious safety concerns” have turned hoverboards, a popular potential gift for thousands this Christmas, into a potential waste disposal issue.
Spokesman Nick Cater told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Several retailers stopped selling certain brands after National Trading Standards seized thousands of them. This was mainly due to non-compliant electrical components that could catch fire when being charged or explode if their lithium-ion batteries are crushed.”
He added: “Residents are strongly advised that hoverboards must not be put in rubbish bins as they can cause fires when refuse trucks compact the collected rubbish.”
“All 16 Somerset Waste Partnership recycling sites, including Highbridge’s Isleport Recycling Centre, are able to accept them, along with other waste household electrical items, such as kettles, phones, computers, cables and monitors.”
“Hoverboard customers must contact site staff on arrival and follow their advice so the item is recycled safely.”
He added: “Buyers should contact their retailer to see if their hoverboard must be returned for a safety check or to obtain a refund. Online giant Amazon warned some of its hoverboard customers that their order was ‘unsafe for use as this product is supplied with a non-compliant UK plug’.”
Those customers were offering refunds and advised to dispose of their hoverboard responsibly at properly certified sites.
