The Health and Trade Departments and the Consumer Protection Group called on the general public to be more careful in buying toys for children, especially two-wheeled, gliding motorized scooters, popularly known as hoverboards.
The government agencies issued the warning amid an investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission in the US and a product recall in Australia.
The CPSC since August 2015 reported an increase in hoverboard-related injuries based on reports from hospital emergency rooms, where injuries included fractures, strains, sprains, contusions, lacerations and head injuries.
The CPSC also warned against possible sudden explosion and fires caused by batteries that could result in injuries requiring hospitalization. It also caution on potential electric shock while charging.
Initial investigation of the CPSC points to poorly-designed lithium-ion batteries installed inside the devices that cause overcharging and may lead to overheating, fires and explosion.
Fire safety advocates advised consumers to avoid leaving the devices unattended while they charge, and let the devices cool off before recharging them.
Riders, who balance on the platform that may be difficult to properly control, are prone to unsteady driving position that could result in higher risk of falls and injuries.
The Food and Drug Administration regulation under the ISO 8124 standard for toys allows the use of 24 volts and below for electronically-activated toys for children under 14 years old of age.
In other countries, however, there are no specific regulations for hoverboards, further raising safety concerns on the use of the devices.
The Health Department and the Trade Department’s consumer protection group advised parents against buying hoverboards for children under 14 years of age.
Adults planning to buy hoverboards are urged to use extreme caution in riding the scooters as the risk of falls are highly likely.
The government advised buyers to read and understand all the safety, learning and riding tips, follow the manufacturer’s instruction when using or charging the batteries, take precautions and use appropriate safety equipment such as helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads to minimize the risk of an accident.
Earlier, several international and local airline companies announced that passengers would no longer be permitted to bring lithium battery-powered personal transportation devices, commonly referred to as hoverboards, on their flights for safety reasons.
Passengers are advised to consult with the airlines on allowable materials, including toys that can be brought on board or checked-in, to avoid any inconvenience.