Highland Park Helping Residents Get Rid Of Unwanted Hoverboards
CHICAGO (CBS) -- If stories of hoverboards catching fire have you rethinking that holiday gift you gave your child, how do you get rid of them?
After a hoverboard started a house fire in Highland Park last month, that city is accepting them for recycling. Fire Chief Dan Pease says concerned owners should ask the company they bought the hoverboard from for a refund first.
"If you're uncomfortable with a hoverboard, please call the manufacturer and see if you can return it and get your money back," he said.
Concerned owners can call the Highland Park Fire Department at (847) 433-3110to pick up their hoverboard if they cannot return it to the manufacturer.
"We will establish a list, and on Saturdays we'll come by and pick up all the hoverboards, remove the batteries, and drop them off for recycling," he said.
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Pease said Highland Park has picked up two hoverboards, and received two others owners have dropped off.
Meantime, solid waste agencies in Lake County and northern Cook County have said they will accept the lithium ion batteries used to power hoverboards, but only from residents of those counties. Batteries must first be removed from hoverboards, and battery ends must be taped.
While there have been no recalls of hoverboards, the Consumer Products Safety Commission has said it is investigating the devices, and has received reports of 52 hoverboard fires in 24 states.
Northbrook-based Underwriters Laboratories has not certified any hoverboards, but is encouraging manufacturers to submit them for testing.
