The “hoverboard”, a.k.a. the hands-free segway, has become a huge craze among people of all ages. After celebrities began showing off their new hoverboards, the popularity and sales of this new technology spiked. Hundreds of thousands of these transportation devices have been flying off the shelves, with sales surging. The hoverboard was the must have gadget this past holiday season, but there are some faults and safety concerns that go along with this unique machine.

Not only do people injure themselves by falling from the hoverboard, these boards have also been known for exploding inside homes. Due to the huge battery inside of the device, it can sometimes overheat, causing an explosion. This is a big problem that mostly happens in cheap overproduced hoverboards. So, when choosing a board, be very cautious. On December 28th, a hoverboard exploded and caught fire at Deerbrook mall in Houston, Texas. The toy was actually still inside its box when the incident happened. Many people had to evacuate when smoke filled the first floor of the mall, but thankfully nobody was hurt. Hoverboards have also been banned in many public places and are not allowed on planes, as airlines don’t want an explosion happening during a flight.

While there may be dangers, the hoverboard is still a very fun and useful vehicle. Hoverboards can be a pretty large investment if you want to be sure it won’t explode, but it’s definitely worth it. A hoverboard can go as fast as 10 miles per hour, and its battery lasts roughly four to six miles.To go forward, you simply lean forward, to go left you put more weight to your left side, and so on. This is possible with the pressure-sensitive foot pads that can sense your body weight.

Is this a fad or will the hoverboard continue in popularity through 2016? “Hoverboards are really amazing and I think they’re like, innovation for the tech world. I think hoverboards will continue in popularity, and even become widely used everywhere. I know so many people who are close to me that are already getting into the hoverboard craze,” said 8th grader Reefa Maridia. Updated boards are set to release in the near future, including a new battery that will insure the rider’s safety. Hoverboards may be tough to get the hang of at first, but once you master riding one, it almost feels like an extension of yourself. There’s a huge chance hoverboards are here to stay throughout 2016 and possibly become an everyday way of transportation.