The explosive risk posed by hoverboards has prompted another New Jersey college to take action. Watch video
GLASSBORO -- In light of numerous explosions and fires, colleges throughout the country, one after the other, are taking precautionary measures by banning hoverboards, and Rowan University has become the latest to take such action.
The self-balancing scooters that were a popular item during Christmastime have been exploding, catching fire and causing homes to burn to the ground. Some experts, according to Wired, believe the problem is due to low-quality lithium ion batteries installed in some of the devices.
In a campuswide email, the Rowan University said, "In the interest of safety on campus, the university is prohibiting the possession and use of hoverboards on campus, including in all campus housing facilities."
Owners of the scooters have been advised "not to bring them to campus" and that any "found in campus housing facilities will be ... a violation of the prohibited items policy, and may result in confiscation as well as disciplinary action."
Last week, Temple University banned the devices in all of its residence halls and academic buildings.
About a week before that, Kean University also banned the scooters and vowed to confiscate any found on its campuses, according to a report by NJ Advance Media.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating the incidents caused by hoverboards. More information on the federal agency's investigation can be found at www.cpsc.gov.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.