PSU’s Ban On Hoverboards

PSU’s Ban On Hoverboards

Ethan Munns
For The Clock
ehmunns@plymouth.edu

Starting in the spring 2016 semester PSU put out a ban on hoverboards due to potential safety risks to students, and the hazard they pose to dorms across campus.

“Hoverboards present a risk of uncontrollable combustion, and have been shown to catch fire without warning before, during, and after operation,” said Ladd Raine, assistant director of Residential Life.

“This risk of combustion presents a serious life safety risk and potential for devastating effect on the students where the event occurs. At this time given the risk potential, Hoverboards will not be allowed to return to campus. However, given technology's ability to continually improve upon past ideas it is possible that a stable and safe product with many of the same capabilities as the current Hoverboards may be allowed on campus.”

The huge concern that sparked PSU to take action in banning hoverboards started with reports from other college’s that experienced the sudden combustion of hoverboards within a residential dorm causing damage to school property.

Even some airlines are making a note to ban hoverboards preventing flyers from storing them in bags, as the combustion could happen while a plane is in transit.

“For PSU, the decision to ban the use of Hoverboards is really all about the safety of its students, faculty, and staff,” said Katie Caron, Manager of Environmental Health & Safety.

PSU students are no longer allowed to have these devices on campus

COURTESY PHOTO

“The decision to ban the use and storage of these devices [inside of PSU buildings], came after reviewing many articles published on the topic, as well as information sharing internally and externally with other Colleges and Universities.”

In addition, Caron looked into the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), whose mission is to "protect the public against unreasonable risks of injuries and deaths associated with consumer products,” released a statement on December 16th, 2015.

The Chairman of the CPSC, Elliot F. Kaye stated, “the challenge is to move quickly but also thoroughly and carefully to find out why certain hoverboards caught fire.”

“Every consumer who is riding a hoverboard, who purchased one to give as a gift during the holidays, or who is thinking about buying one deserves to know if there is a safety defect,” said Caron.

Until proper saftey peramaters can be met with the devices, the ban on hoverboards will continue across campus. Any questions about this ruling can be directed to Assistant director of Residential Life, Ladd Raine lraine@mail.plymouth.edu or Katie Caron, Manager of Environmental Health & Safety krc1010@mail.plymouth.edu