Hoverboard danger: 90pc fail safety tests as thousands at risk of catching fire or exploding

Almost 90 per cent of so-called hoverboards failed safety tests carried out in the West Midlands.

Trading Standards bosses are now warning families against buying the devices from unreputable retailers, even though many will already have been bought for Christmas presents.

Online giant Amazon also advised people who have bought hoverboards with unsafe plugs to throw them away as a watchdog urged all retailers to remove them from sale last week.

So-called hoverboards are likely to be a popular present this year

The internet giant has sent emails to customers who bought hoverboards with non-compliant UK plugs.

Lorraine Boothman, Trading Standards and Licensing manager at Walsall Council, said: "A significant number of hoverboards, or balance boards, have been found to be unsafe by trading standards at import checkpoints, with 88 per cent failing stringent testing.

"Businesses are reminded that if they are in the supply chain for such goods they have a legal responsibility to ensure the products they sell are safe to use. Failure in this regard could result in prosecution.

"Our advice to consumers is to only buy children's toys from reputable retailers and manufacturers who are more likely to have had all the relevant tests carried out on products."

Bob Charnley, Trading Standards Manager at Sandwell Council, added: "Only deal with reputable online retailers you know and trust. If the goods cost more than £100 use a credit card, if you have one, as this will give you additional consumer protection if things go wrong.

"And trust your instincts – beware of things that look 'too good to be true'."

Families have been advised to be aware when buying the gadgets

The brandi website at www.brand-i.org has been suggested as a useful place to find a genuine supplier.

Earlier this month, National Trading Standards said 15,000 of the 17,000 scooters examined since October 15 had been seized, mainly for having non-compliant electrical components that could explode or catch fire.

Many of the boards were found to have non-compliant plugs without fuses.

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

The Retail Ombudsman watchdog said businesses could be liable for any injuries.