Amazon urges hoverboard buyers to 'dispose' of must-have Christmas present amid safety fears

Online retailer Amazon has advised customers who bought non-standard hoverboards to throw them away after a watchdog called on all retailers to remove them from sale over safety concerns.

Amazon confirmed it had emailed buyers of self-balancing boards identified as being sold with non-compliant UK plugs informing them they would be refunded and instructing them to take the boards to certified recycling centres that deal with electrical waste.

The company also emailed all hoverboard customers advising them about safety concerns.

The hoverboard has been this year's must-have gift for Christmas, but Amazon now appears to have removed listings for the product, with only hoverboard accessories and the Back To The Future Part II hoverboard prop replica available.

Estimates suggest around 500,000 people in the UK have bought hoverboards as Christmas gifts.

John Lewis and Argos have also removed the product from sale.

The move comes after National Trading Standards seized more than 15,000 unsafe hoverboards, mainly for having non-compliant electrical components that could explode or catch fire.

Many were found to have non-compliant plugs without fuses, which increases the risk of the device overheating, exploding or catching fire, and cut-off switches which failed when tested.

Chargers, cabling and batteries were also found to fail safety standards.

Several incidents involving 'exploding' hoverboards have been reported, including a fire at a house in Kent apparently cause by a recharging hoverboard.

Andy Brian, retail partner at law firm Gordons, said: "Under the Consumer Rights Act, retailers are required to offer a refund if a product is shown to be faulty within 30 days of purchase.

"Customers are entitled to a full refund for a further six months after this period if a fault develops and a repair or suitable replacement is not available – which would appear to be the case with many of these products."

The Retail Ombudsman said business could be liable for any injuries caused by exploding hoverboards.

Chief ombudsman Dean Dunham said: "I would urge UK retailers to take the responsible step of removing unsafe hoverboards from sale or face the risk of the full force of the Consumer Protection Act, under which the retailer can be held liable for any injuries caused by unsafe goods.

"Retailers who continue to sell hoverboards, that they deem to be safe, should also take note of the Crown Prosecution Service's position.

"They have made clear that for safety reasons it is illegal to ride these hoverboards in public [on the road or paths] and this important information should be communicated to the consumer at the point of sale.

"Consumers who have already purchased a hoverboard, perhaps as a Christmas present, should contact the retailer and for their written assurance that it's safe and in particular that it has a compliant plug with a fuse."

He said that where no assurances were given consumers should ask for a refund, to which they are entitled under the Consumer Rights Act, and report the matter to Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.