UA temporarily bans hoverboards on campus

Students at a New Jersey college better leave their hoverboards home when they return from break. Since December 2015, several universities have banned or limited hoverboards on their campuses, saying the two-wheeled, motorized scooters are unsafe.

The ban prohibits the use, possession or storage of hoverboards at any building on campus or any other university-controlled property, according to a news release from UK.

Indiana University and Purdue University stated that hoverboards are banned from campus residence halls.

Other universities around the country have banned hoverboards and similar devices. Officials say the ban will stay in place until safety standards for all models are implemented. There have been numerous reports of the boards catching fire while charging. “We understand these items may be a popular gift this holiday season, but we must emphasize that if you receive one, you should not bring it to campus”, the email says.

Officials with Southern California’s commuter railroad, MetroLink, issued a ban as well. Beyond the risk of falls and collisions, colleges are citing warnings from federal authorities that some of the self-balancing gadgets have caught on fire. “We are not willing to risk your safety and our community’s safety”, UK Fire Marshal Greg Williamson said. News outlets have also been reporting on about a dozen different incidents where hoverboards have started on fire.

CPSC’s Kaye said he was concerned that no safety standards existed at the moment for hoverboards.

Hover boards are prohibited on the Union and Kean Ocean campuses due to potential fire and safety hazards.

Students found with the two-wheeled devices in residence halls will be asked to remove them, Hood said.