Norfolk, Va. — Two local campuses are banning hoverboards.
On Friday, ODU created an interim policy saying no one is allowed to use, have, charge, or store the self-balancing electric wheeled boards. The policy reads the reasoning is “due to the continuing reports highlighting the safety and fire risk of [hoverboards].”
William & Mary announced a similar policy. “We are taking this action as part of our efforts to maintain a safe campus through our comprehensive fire prevention program,” Sam Jones, of the Emergency Management Team, wrote in a letter to the campus community. The policy will be reexamined following a review by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Hoverboards were a popular gift during the 2015 holiday shopping season. There have been several reports of the boards catching fire.
