This holiday season saw self-balancing scooters known as hoverboards became extremely popular gift items, but a federal regulator issued a safety warning on the shipping of the toys after hundreds were found improperly labeled and packaged in cargo containers. The alert was triggered when investigators with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration intercepted 32 cargo containers filled with hoverboards that were “improperly prepared for shipment of a hazardous material” due to containing lithium batteries.
The scooters have not been free of controversy as reports of hoverboards catching fire have led to an investigation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, causing some airlines to ban passengers from packing them. Cargo shipments of hoverboards should note on shipping papers that the items contain lithium batteries and that they have been properly manufactured, tested, and prepared for shipment, the agency said. This is so the batteries cannot be mishandled or overheated.
More than 80 percent of the shippers of the hoverboards in the containers could not produce valid test reports proving the batteries were properly manufactured and packaged to avoid problems while being transported.
Benny Agosto, Jr. is a partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner in Houston, Texas. For over 65 years, Abraham Watkins has successfully represented injured people and families who fall victim to catastrophes. Our attorneys have the knowledge, experience and resources necessary to obtain just compensation their clients. For more information, please contact the office of Benny Agosto, Jr. at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, by letter at 800 Commerce Street, Houston, Texas 77002, or by phone at (713) 222-7211.