Hoverboard Injuries: The Causes and possible Solutions

Hoverboard injuries: the causes and possible solutions

Accidents happen and it is possible to sustain hoverboard injuries, but that doesn’t mean they are unsafe. Many injuries can be avoided by riding cautiously and using protective gear such as a helmet and knee pads.

It’s important to look where you are going when riding a hoverboard, keep an eye out for potholes or unexpected bumps and only perform tricks if you are a confident rider.

Hoverboard injury statistics

An American survey conducted between 2015 and 2016 found that 26,854 children had been to A&E with a hoverboard injury. They mainly suffered from injuries to the wrist, forearms and head. 40% of them had hoverboard broken bones, while the rest had bruises and/or sprains. Hoverboard injuries 2018 was a popular search term in the US where experts recommended that children be supervised when using hoverboards. Studies found that hoverboard injuries are similar to those that can be sustained when riding a skateboard.

Hoverboard broken wrist

The most common hoverboard injury is a fracture of the distal radius in the wrist and this happens when riders put their hands out to break a fall. You can minimise the chances of this happening by wearing a wrist guard. In tests, they were found to reduce the impact on the wrist by almost 50%. The second most common hoverboard injury is fracture of the fingers usually caused by getting it caught in the wheel well while doing a trick – to prevent this, keep your fingers away from the wheels.

Head injuries from hoverboards

As with cycling or any other mode of personal transport, you should always wear a helmet when riding your hoverboard. Hoverboard injuries are more severe in adults than children and are worse when they occur on the street, as opposed to at home.

Hoverboard broken arm

Fall off your hoverboard and land hard and you are at risk of breaking your arm. It’s best to ride with caution and keep your eyes peeled for any obstacles. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that a broken forearm was one of the most common injuries among children seeking medical help for a hoverboard injury.

Hoverboard combustion

Hoverboards are not dangerous although there have been reports of them catching fire. It is usually cheap models with dud batteries that pose a fire risk. Any hoverboard made after 2017 should come with a UL safety rating that means it is highly unlikely to burst into flames. To be on the safe side, always charge it when you are close by, don’t charge overnight and make sure you use the charger that came with your hoverboard or a certified replacement.

Broken hoverboard

If your hoverboard is malfunctioning in any way, don’t ride it. Consult an expert and get it fixed, to avoid any unwanted accidents. If the hoverboard is tilting to one side, it’s not charging properly, you have a hoverboard broken in the middle problem; it needs to be serviced before you ride. Stay safe!