Pre-Christmas sales of hoverboards have been dealt a further blow after Trading Standards officers at Kensington and Chelsea Council raised fears of a fire risk.

They have already confiscated a number of the self-balancing scooters from shops within the borough after carrying out tests on them amid fears they could pose a fire risk when recharging batteries.

The warning comes in the same week that several major retailers withdrew the en vogue device, which sell for £200-£350 and have been used by sports and pop stars, for similar concerns.

And last week a teenage boy in Brent was killed when he came off his hoverboard and was struck by a bus.

UK Trading Standards said more than 17,000 hoverboards imported from beyond the EU have been examined in recent weeks, of which over 15,000 (88%) failed basic safety checks.

Faults identified on some models include:

  • Potential overheating and fire hazard from the lithium battery overcharging
  • Risks of electrocution due to sub-standard mains plugs
  • Risk of fire as some of the mains plugs do not contain fuses or have substandard fuses

Councillor Tim Ahern, the royal borough's head of environment and health, said: “These hoverboards are in great demand particularly with Christmas coming. Consumers have to be extremely cautious when buying this type of present as there are real safety concerns regarding some models.

“The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has provided good advice to anyone considering buying a hoverboard. If you’re going to buy one do so from a reputable shop or website and always check for the CE mark.”

Anyone with doubts over a hoverboard purchase can contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service line on 03454 040506.