Kean University bans hoverboards over fire safety issues

UNION TOWNSHIP (WABC) -- Students at one New Jersey college better leave their hoverboards home when they return from winter break.

Kean University has banned the popular devices for fear they can cause fires or injure students. The school will confiscate any hoverboard on its Union and Ocean campuses.

Vice president of university relations Susan Wynn Kayne tells Eyewitness News that the school acted on the recommendation of the state Fire Safety Division, which has suggested all colleges prohibit them.

"Due to documented fire and safety issues, Kean University has banned hoverboards on campus effective January 4, 2016," she said in an email. "Any hoverboards found on campus will be confiscated. The new policy reflects the recommendation of the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. This recommendation is currently being made to all public universities in New Jersey. Fortunately, there have been no incidents related to hoverboards on campus. This measure was taken as a safety precaution."

Several fires have garnered attention in recent months, including a hoverboard that caught fire and damaged a home in Lacey Township in December. Emergency rooms have also reported people have been injured using the self-balancing scooters.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)