More than 500,000 self-balancing scooters, or “hoverboards”, are being recalled because the battery packs can overheat and explode. Other consumer products being recalled this week include jogging strollers with defective front wheels.
Here’s a more detailed look:
SELF-BALANCING SCOOTERS
DETAILS: Self-balancing scooters, commonly referred to as hoverboards. They were sold at mass merchandisers nationwide and online retailers from June 2015 through May 2016. Recalled self-balancing scooters include Hype Roam, iMoto, Hovertrax, Hover-Way, Orbit, Swagway X1, Powerboard, Wheeli, 2 Wheelz, Back to the Future, Mobile Tech, Hover Shark, NWS, X Glider, X Rider, and Airwalk. More information on the brands and retailers can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Self-Balancing-Scooters-Hoverboards-Recalled-by-10-Firms/
WHY: The lithium-ion battery packs in the self-balancing scooters/hoverboards can overheat, posing a risk of the products smoking, catching fire and/or exploding.
INCIDENTS: There have been at least 99 incidents reports of the battery packs in self-balancing scooters/hoverboards overheating, sparking, smoking, catching fire and/or exploding including reports of burn injuries and property damage.
HOW MANY: About 501,000.
FOR MORE: Consumers should contact the recalling companies through their websites and call centres, which can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Self-Balancing-Scooters-Hoverboards-Recalled-by-10-Firms/
JOGGING STROLLERS
DETAILS: Instep and Schwinn swivel wheel jogging strollers that have a quick release mechanism for removing and re-attaching the front wheel. Instep Safari, Instep Grand Safari, Instep Flight, Schwinn Turismo and Schwinn Discover Single and Double Occupant Swivel jogging strollers are affected. The strollers were sold from January 2010 through June 2016. Details on specific models can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Pacific-Cycle-Recalls-Swivel-Wheel-Jogging-Strollers/
WHY: The front wheel can become loose and detach, posing crash and fall hazards.
INCIDENTS: 132 reports of the front wheel becoming loose or unstable, resulting in 215 injuries, including head injuries, sprains, lacerations, bumps, bruises, and abrasions.
HOW MANY: About 217,600.
FOR MORE: Call Pacific Cycle at 877-564-2261 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, visit www.pacific-cycle.com, www.instep.net or www.schwinnbikes.com and click on “Safety Notices & Recalls” or send email to customerservice@pacific-cycle.com for more information.
BABY SWADDLES AND SLEEPING BAGS
DETAILS: Little Lotus baby swaddles with model number 901-01 and sleeping bags with model numbers 830-03, 830-05 and 830-07. The Little Lotus logo and model number are stamped in white at the bottom in the interior of the swaddle and sleeping bag. They were sold at www.littlelotusbaby.com from January 2016 through April 2016.
WHY: The shoulder snaps on the baby swaddles and sleeping bags can break or detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
INCIDENTS: 15 reports of the snaps breaking or detaching from the swaddles and sleeping bags. No injuries have been reported.
HOW MANY: About 1,900.
FOR MORE: Call Little Lotus at 800-280-9557 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, send email to recall@littlelotusbaby.com or visit www.littlelotusbaby.com and click on Important Safety Information at the bottom left-hand corner of the homepage for more information.
ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
DETAILS: All models of the URB-E electric scooter. The foldable electric scooters are aluminum and carbon fiber. They have two wheels and came in black, grey or white. They were sold at URBAN626 stores in Pasadena, California, and online at amazon.com and URB-E.com from August 2015 through June 2016.
WHY: The bolt below the seat can crack, posing a fall hazard
INCIDENTS: Three reports of incidents, one resulting in a scraped knee.
HOW MANY: About 1,200.
FOR MORE: Call URBAN626 at 888-270-6988 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, send email to recall@urban626.com or visit urb-e.com and click on “Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES
DETAILS: Mule Pro side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles. The recall involves 2015, 2016 and 2017 model year side-by-side recreational off-highway vehicles. The model name is printed on the right and left front fender. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is located on the steel frame between the right front lower A-arm mounts. They were sold at Kawasaki dealers nationwide from July 2014 through June 2016.
WHY: The front floor cover can be punctured by a foreign object, posing an injury hazard to riders.
INCIDENTS: Two reports of debris coming up from the floor cover, including one report of debris striking an operator’s leg.
HOW MANY: About 28,000.
FOR MORE: Call Kawasaki at 866-802-9381 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit www.kawasaki.com and click on “Recall” at the bottom of the page for more information
