When hoverboards come on to the scene a couple of years ago, they were an instant hit. Although the hype isn’t on the same level, hoverboards have remained a popular commodity among young people all over the globe. If you’re a parent whose child wants an electric hoverboard, you’re probably wondering how do they work and how safe are they?
Many people point out that back when they first came out, several manufacturers were selling boards that weren’t properly examined or approved for the market. To date, more than 300 hoverboard-related occurrences were conveyed to the CPSC. But have things changed since then? That’s what we’re going to discuss today. Before that, let’s see how these devices work.
How Does It Work?
A hoverboard has a frame, which pivots in the center. The motor and sensors in charge of speed and tilt positions are located inside its wheels. The gyroscopes inside the device get the signals from the tilt sensors and relay them to the logic board, thus keeping the board standing at all times. We are talking about an element key for stability.
Under the feet of the rider, there are two switches, which activate an LED light. When the person riding the panel keeps the feet flat, the light stays on. That lets the logic board know that the rider wants to remain in place. When the rider leans frontward, the LED lights are turned off, and the sensor lets this device know that the wheels should start working.
Since there are two distinct motors that work independently of each other, the rider can actually circle in place if they want. The fact that motors work independently is what allows the driver to navigate the board and make turns. There you have it. That’s how these devices work. Not as simple as you thought? Now, let’s figure out why there’s so much controversy surrounding them.
What Is the Electric Hoverboard Controversy?
What caused all of this? As we said in the opening, there were numerous incidents in which uninspected hoverboards malfunctioned and caused accidents. Multiple hoverboards overheat during a ride and spontaneously caught fire, injuring the rider in the process. But you have to take into account that these accidents happened over five years ago.
If the hoverboard industry wanted to survive, it needed to adapt. That’s why you won’t see too much news nowadays about similar incidents. Since these accidents happened, hoverboards started going through more rigorous inspections. Also, if you get your boards from reputable sellers, you won’t have to worry whether or not your kid will be safe during the ride. However, before you can buy a proper one, you will need to inform yourself a little bit better, right?
Are Electric Hoverboards Really Safe?
You might be thinking, while a hoverboard won’t explode under your child’s feet, that doesn’t mean that it won’t cause any injuries. Technically, you’re right. Of course, your child might fall down while walking down the street or running with their friends. But that doesn’t mean that you’ll prevent your child from taking walking, doesn’t it?
When riding electric hoverboards, kids tend to hurt their forearms, elbows, and wrists. But you can prevent these injuries by providing the proper protective gear. In all reality, an electric hoverboard isn’t any more dangerous than a bike or a pair of roller skates. They’re far safer than skateboards. As a matter of fact, skateboards cause 5X more injuries than electric hoverboards.
Electric Hoverboards Safety Tips
Like we said, electric hoverboards aren’t really that dangerous. They can make a great present for your child. They’re extremely fun to ride around on, and they’ll encourage your youth to start spending more time outside.
All of this sounds appealing, and you want to surprise your kid with one of these? If you want to know what the best cheap hoverboards are, click here and find out. To ensure the safety of your son or daughter, here are a couple of safety tips from medical experts:
- Make sure that your child is wearing shielding gear. You can’t let your child go to ride a hoverboard without writs guards, knee pads, or a helmet. Furthermore, you need to insist on a “no helmet/no ride” policy in your home for all wheeled toys.
- Not allowing your children to ride near traffic. Your child needs to ride in places where there’s no traffic, like parks, school grounds, etc. That way, you won’t have to worry about your child having a serious accident.
- Give your child some lessons. The kid should know why wearing protective gear is so important, how to fall properly, and what to do in case an accident happens. That will allow the child to avoid being seriously injured.
- Only use the power cord that comes with the device. If anything happens to the power cord, you should contact the seller and get a new one. Using a random charging cord might cause your young one’s board to overheat and malfunction.
- If the hoverboard is worn out get a new one. You can find that these devices usually last for a few years. However, nothing lasts forever. The device your child uses needs to be in tip-top condition if you don’t want it to fall apart and cause an injury during a ride.
In Conclusion
Of course, every physical activity can lead to an injury. However, a hoverboard won’t leave your child hurt. Even there were incidents in the past, these are not any more dangerous than a walk down the street. They’re even safer than skateboards. Therefore, you should be worried about getting your youngster an electric hoverboard for their birthday.
You just need to be aware of potential dangers. Teach your child about the possible injuries and how to prevent them. Buy all of the protective gear and explain to your child why they need it at all times. Lastly, talk to the child and tell them what they need to do if anything goes wrong. That way, both you and your offspring will be feeling safe
