If you purchased a “hoverboard” (read: a self-balancing scooter that isn’t really much like its namesake) on Amazon but now fear turning into a fiery ball of death, have no fear. The government says you can get a refund.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday that Amazon "voluntarily” agreed to refund any hoverboard purchases due to the product’s annoying tendency to catch on fire.
"For consumers who purchased a hoverboard from Amazon, they can return the product right now for a full refund,” CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye wrote in a statement. "I want to commend Amazon for voluntarily stepping up, providing a free remedy and putting customer safety first."
According to the CPSC, there have been “dozens” of fires involving hoverboards, though no people have died in the blazes. Two dogs in California were killed in a housefire blamed on a hoverboard charging in a bedroom.
The commission is investigating why some hoverboards tend to ignite and attempting to figure out what regulations are necessary to keep people safe, the statement said.
Last month, Amazon tightened its rules on hoverboard sales, requiring retailers to provide documentation that their boards are safe. Yet while hoverboard manufacturers can get specific components, like battery packs, certified by the safety consulting and certification company Underwriters Laboratories, “there currently is no UL certification for hoverboards themselves,” the CPSC says.
It’s not clear whether or not there are any restrictions on Amazon's purported refund policy. Amazon did not immediately return a request for comment from The Huffington Post.
Weirdly, it appears there are still hoverboards available for purchase on Amazon.com.