Amazon Pulls Hoverboards From Store Due to Safety Concerns. Everyone is Happy.

Hoverboards: they don't really hover, but they are one of the hottest gifts this holiday season -- both because people (inexplicably) like them, and because they literally burst into flames, sometimes. 

To be quite serious, these things look lame, are technically illegal in many cities, and have caused some major injuries due to exploding parts. After reports of hoverboard-related fires in nine states over the past few weeks, most major airlines have placed the boards on the "no-fly" list, banning them from planes and airport terminals. 

Now Amazon has joined the ranks of hover-haters. As first noted by Best Reviews, hoverboards have been pulled indefinitely from Amazon's labyrinthian online marketplace as of December 12. A statement made to The Verge by hoverboard makers Swagway (yes, unfortunately that is their real name) said "Amazon just sent out a notice to all 'hoverboard' sellers to 'provide documentation demonstrating that all hoverboards you list are compliant with applicable safety standards, including UN 38.3 (battery), UL 1642 (battery), and UL 60950-1 (charger).'" 

Swagway goes on to say they approve of Amazon's move -- as they claim to be fully compliant with all safety measures, noting they are "...happy that Amazon has decided to take steps to weed out the low quality boards."

And now, on a lighter note -- please enjoy this video of people busting their asses on these aforementioned hoverboards, free of charge!

click to play video

Hover responsibly people...or you know, not at all.


Wil Fulton is a Staff Writer for Thrillist. Full disclosure: he's fallen pretty hard on a hoverboard before. Follow him @wilfulton

Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email, and get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.