Hoverboards are becoming increasingly popular nowadays, especially for kids.
They provide lots of fun for kids. However, parents are worried and wondering if they are safe toys for their children.
Today’s hoverboards are fully equipped,hand-free electric scooters that can take riders to school or anywhere else.
If you plan to buy a hoverboard for your kid, it is essential to know its safety precautions and features to ensure it is safe.
This article will discuss the safety and risks of hoverboards and top recommendations for beginner hoverboards.
How Safe are Hoverboards for Kids?
Hoverboards were designed for kids to enjoy. First, however, you have to make sure your kid is wearing all the necessary safety equipment when riding.
Most of the time, children under 13 years old are not allowed to ride hoverboards as they are reckless and immature, and their judgment and decision-making skills are not yet fully developed. It is safer not to allow them to drive a board that can reach a speed of up to 15 mph.
To help you out, here are specific tips to ensure your child’s safety.
1. Wear protective gear
Though it may not seem to be a requirement, especially since you see people in most advertisements rarely wearing them, helmets are a must for your kid when riding a hoverboard. Be wary that kids can hit their heads hard should they lose their balance, which, in turn, can result in brain or neck damage, proving the helmet’s importance.
Other protective gear you should consider includes pads for the elbows and knees, knee socks, and sturdy shoes that will not come off easily riding a hoverboard. Of course, your kids must wear comfortable clothes, so they can balance more easily.
2. Do practice runs
If your child is a novice, you must allow your kids to do practice runs. You can try it indoors first. If not possible, look for a quiet space with soft surfaces.
Teach your kids to jump off behind the hoverboard and never in front. Be mindful that the board won’t stop immediately. If they jump off in front, it will most likely run them over and cause injuries or accidents.
Due to excitement, they also ride it too quickly, so educate them first on how to use their foot on the pedal for accelerating and slowing down. That way, they can be fully confident in maneuvering and stopping the board.
3. Ensure that your kids are riding them on safe surfaces
Another important thing that your kids must know is that they should only ride the hoverboard on flat, smooth surfaces and where there’s something to lean on. Never allow them to ride their boards on uneven surfaces or in areas where there isn’t sound footing as they can easily lose their balance, fall over, and hurt themselves very easily.
4. Be cautious of others and objects
If your kids are playing with other children, tell them to devote extra caution and give some space to each other. Through that, they won’t bump into them or vice-versa, which can lead to harm. Make sure to also take out objects or obstacles on the ground that can block their path, stop the wheels from turning, and cause them to fall over.
5. Avoid riding in traffic and in nighttime
While your kids will surely want to, you should never let your kids ride their hoverboards in traffic and in the nighttime, even if they say they’ve already mastered the art of riding them. For their utmost safety, restrict the riding time to daytime alone and ensure that it’s away from traffic.
If it’s allowed, some ideal places they could ride include driveways, parks, skateparks, neighborhood sidewalks, and boardwalks. In case the preferred area is far, don’t allow your children to ride their boards going to the area and take them to the place by car instead.
Meanwhile, though most hoverboards feature some type of lighting, they’re still not visible enough for motorists to see. With that, it’s better not to permit them to ride their hoverboards at night. Should they be doing so in dimmed areas, look out for a light that can be attached to their helmet or give them a bright, reflective shirt to wear.
6. Don’t overcharge
Hoverboards have sensitive batteries that require only 2 to 5 hours to fully charge. As such, avoid charging them overnight as it could damage the batteries and decrease their range.
Overcharging also increases the risks of overheating and catching fire. If you can, it’s better to charge the hoverboard in a well-ventilated area away from people and flammable objects.
In case the hoverboard overheats or if you notice any smoke coming from it, keep it out of reach of your kids and never allow them to ride it again. It could signal a faulty battery, which is a hazard as it can result in burnout or an explosion.
7. Supervise
Lastly, the best way to keep your kids safe is to supervise them at all times when riding the hoverboard, unless you’re fully confident they can ride them safely on their own. Kids tend to lose their balance very easily and you’ll never know what might happen while they’re on the device. Plus, you’ll also have better peace of mind if you’re constantly watching them over as you can guide them and quickly react in case of any mishap.
While riding a hoverboard, children must wear protective gear, such as wrist guards and a helmet. Parents should enforce a “no helmet, no riding” policy for their kids when using a hoverboard.
Risks of Hoverboards for Kids
Several people died using hoverboards, either from an accident or a fire while charging the board. Forearms, wrists, and heads were the children’s most commonly injured body parts.
The most common types of accidents in children are fractures and bruising. Other severe injuries reported are brain damage and broken bones.
Allowing children to use hoverboards can cause skin harm. It may not be a life-threatening condition, but it is inevitable. Therefore, it is essential to constantly take precautions to keep your children safe and avoid risk.
When your child gets open wounds or bruises while using the board, keep your hands off of them even if they do not look to be serious harm. This is to avoid hurting your children.
Safe Hoverboards for Kids and Beginners
As a parent, it is vital to ensure the safety of your children. Therefore, when choosing a hoverboard, you must consider several factors, such as safety, durability, and price.
And because there are lots of hoverboards for kids and beginners in the market, we will guide you in choosing the best one.
TOMOLOO Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard
If your main concern when buying a hoverboard for your kid is safety, Tomoloo Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard is the best option. It is one of the top-selling hoverboards for kids available on the market.
This hoverboard is specially designed with the safety of beginner riders in mind. It is also UL2272 certified, which is thoroughly tested to ensure it meets kids’ safety standards.
Kids can use this hoverboard for long hours to resist high temperatures and fire. One great thing about this hoverboard is the self-balancing feature that makes it easy for beginners to learn how to ride it.
This feature also removes one significant safety concern for parents.
In addition, there is an integrated Bluetooth 4.0 technology that allows your kid to listen to music while riding by setting up a connection with a phone through Bluetooth. It also has flashing LED lights, making this hoverboard more attractive and enjoyable.
Gyroor All-Terrain Off-Road Warrior Hoverboard
If you are looking for a versatile hoverboard for your teen child, then this hoverboard is an excellent choice. Gyroor All-Terrain Warrior Hoverboard is designed to resist the beating of beginners.
It is one of the most impressive off-road hoverboards available due to its combination of unique design and a strong structure. Also, it has massive shock absorbent solid rubber tires that are ideal for any surface.
Furthermore, this hoverboard is UL2272 certified, which is safe against all fire safety issues. Your child can also listen to their favorite music while riding, as it comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker. It looks even more incredible because of the colorful, flashing lights that your kid may set using a smart app.
Aside from changing its colors, the Smart App allows your kid to change mode, adjust riding speed, set the anti-theft alarm, check track, and more.
Hoverboard Electric Scooter
This hoverboard is one of the best electric hoverboards in the market due to its durability, speed, and distance capacity.
H1 Hoverboard Electric scooter also comes with stunning colors and fun lights that kids would love to show off. Compared to Tomoloo Hoverboard, it has better control, battery life, and overall quality.
Your kid can enjoy a long, enjoyable, fun ride with this hoverboard as it utilizes a built-in high-quality lithium-ion battery that can last a long time and fast charging.
Is it Safe for Kids to Ride a Hoverboard?
Hoverboards are one of the kids’ favorite devices nowadays. They can enjoy the fun ride and go wherever they want to go.
However, you have to make sure that they are safe and won’t hurt themselves. Therefore, parents should consider various factors when purchasing a hoverboard to ensure the safety of their children.
Factors to Look For When Purchasing Hoverboards for Kids
1. Safety
Like with other things you purchase for your kids, safety is your paramount concern. So, only buy a hoverboard that has UL2272 certification. A UL certification means that the device has undergone rigorous testing for fire and electrical safety.
If you’re buying it on e-commerce platforms, this information should be listed in the item description. If you’re buying it in shops, you can check the hoverboard’s underbelly and there should be a hologram label indicating the certification.
Optional safety features, such as easy controls, automatic shutoff in case of overcharging or a fall, Bluetooth connectivity, GPS tracking, and mobile app compatibility are also handy.
2. Age Appropriateness
See to it that the hoverboards you’re intending to buy are age-appropriate for your kids. Hoverboards may have different specifications, varying on the mobility and child’s weight it can carry. You want to get a device that your kids can safely ride and handle.
3. Speed
Hoverboards’ speeds vary greatly but generally go between 6 mph to 12 mph. The ideal safe speed for kids is 8 mph to 10 mph. Still, you must determine what speed your kids can handle, depending on their age, skill level, and intended use.
Some hoverboards come with an app where you can limit the speed, which is great if your children are still learning the ropes. To avoid overspeeding, there are also boards that beep when they exceed the limit.
4. Wheel Size
The size of the hoverboard’s wheel affects the maneuverability and stability of the device. For instance, a smaller wheel size suits indoor use better and is easier to maneuver, while a larger wheel size is best for the outdoors and rougher surfaces. Select the wheel size that best fits where you want your kids to ride their hoverboards.
5. Board Size
Size matters when it comes to hoverboards. For your kids, make certain that the board isn’t too huge, as it can affect the way they balance. In the hoverboard realm, size is generally related to the diameter of the wheel. For younger kids, look for wheels that are not bigger than 5 to 6.5 inches. For children aged 13 years and up, wheels measuring 8.5 inches or more are the most suitable.
6. Tire Type
Hoverboards for kids’ are normally made of solid plastic tires. These wheels work great on even and hard surfaces, which are the areas where kids should ideally ride on. Plus, they don’t pop or go flat like their rubber counterparts. The catch is that plastic tires tend to wear out easily, so don’t expect them to last like rubber ones.
On the other hand, rubber tires are more durable and long-lasting. They are excellent when riding on uneven, rough surfaces like dirt, sand, and light gravel. However, those are areas where you shouldn’t let your kids ride their hoverboards on and should be left to more experienced adults.
Benefits of Hoverboards for Kids
Hoverboards are generally safe for kids, especially if you let them follow the above-mentioned tips. What’s great is that riding hoverboards won’t only bring fun for your little ones, as these devices also offer many benefits, which include:
1. Staying active
If you’re tired of seeing your kids stuck in their room and playing games on their smartphones or tablets, hoverboards can be the charm to keep them active. Riding hoverboards will help them use and build up different muscle groups, burn calories, and stimulate their brain to function correctly. Thus, keeping their overall health in shape.
2. Helps with posture
Riding and controlling a hoverboard requires your kids to stand up straight as they use their core. So, if they have issues with their posture and you’re constantly reminding them to sit and stand up straight, riding hoverboards can be a helpful way to get an upright and healthy posture while having fun at the same time.
3. Enhances reflexes
Riding hoverboards needs your children to remain focused and consistently adjust to cover changes in speeds and movement. While such body movements are subtle, they come in sheer numbers and increase the reaction, balance, stability, and reflex response of the body.
4. Boosts self-confidence
Hoverboards can be difficult and intimidating at first. However, with the right amount of practice and dedication, your kids should eventually be able to ride them smoothly. That can be a quick confidence booster for them, as they will be happy to try new things and challenges. Moreover, they will also level up their skill on their own, also giving them the courage to master other skills without having to rely on others all the time.
5. Better family relationships
Are you looking for fun activities to do with your kids? Well, hoverboards aren’t meant for kids alone! You can surely learn how to ride one and have fun with your little ones together. You can go with them to the park or other areas where your kids desire. They’ll surely be happy, as not all kids have the chance to have fun with their parents in this manner.
Wrapping Up
Riding hoverboards can provide a lot of fun for your kids. They’re generally safe as long as you practice them properly, let them wear the proper gear, and make them aware of the risks. Through that, they can ride the device safely, reap its benefits, and get tons of enjoyment!