Over winter break, Bradley announced a ban on the use and storage of hoverboards in any university owned property, dashing the hopes of any would-be Marty McFlys on campus. Bradley is not alone in its ban, and many other universities, as well as airlines, have banned hoverboards.
The university-wide email announcing the ban of hoverboards, which are also known as self-balancing scooters, said there was a fire risk and safety hazard associated with the gadget.
The devices have been documented to catch fire or explode, specifically when being charged. WGN-TV reported that a charging hoverboard exploded and burned down a house in Louisiana in late November, and CNN has video of another board bursting into flames at a mall in Auburn, Washington, in early December.
The technology magazine Wired said the low quality lithium batteries used in the hoverboards are the cause of the combustions.
“One of the recommendations if you own a hoverboard is that you pay attention to it while you charge it,” Vice President of Student Affairs Nathan Thomas said. “You’re supposed to be present while it’s charging, but I’m going to guess that’s not how students charge their devices. It’s certainly not how I charge my devices.”
Thomas said there have been no incidents of exploding hoverboards at Bradley, and he is unsure of the exact number of students who own hoverboards.
“I’ve seen a couple of hoverboards on campus, but I’m not sure if they were students,” Thomas said. “I know hoverboards were kind of a hot item over the holidays, and the ban was meant to anticipate a possible increase.”
Some students said they think the new ban doesn’t have a major affect on campus.
“I don’t really care because I don’t know any one with a hoverboard,” sophomore elementary and education double major Sara Ellers said.
Thomas said the ban is not necessarily permanent, and Bradley will review the ban as the semester continues.
“We guess that the batteries are going to get better,” Thomas said. “We think that manufacturers of hoverboards are going to pay attention to the numbers of bans that are being put in place across the country and are going to attempt to solve these issues. We’re going to pay attention to consumers guides and the national landscape. As the product evolves, we’ll consider lifting the ban.”
