Title: U.S. CPSC Recalls Onewheel Skateboards After Deaths and Injuries
Word Count: 370
Insider Wales Sport – In a recent announcement, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a recall for approximately 300,000 self-balancing Onewheel electric skateboards. The recall comes as a response to reports of deaths and injuries associated with the products. Future Motion Inc., the company responsible for manufacturing these skateboards, recorded four deaths and a number of injuries between 2019 and 2021.
Reports indicate that some customers experienced traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and head trauma while using the skateboards. This prompted the CPSC to investigate the issue and discover that the skateboards have the potential to stop balancing the rider if their limits are exceeded, thereby posing a crash hazard that can result in serious injuries or even death.
The recall encompasses all models of Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards, with the exception of the Original Onewheel and Onewheel+ models. Owners of these specific models are urged to safely dispose of their products. Fortunately, affected customers will be eligible for a prorated refund in the form of a Onewheel store credit.
For customers who own the Onewheel GT, Onewheel Pint X, Onewheel Pint, or Onewheel+ XR models, experts advise updating the firmware when it becomes available. A firmware update specifically designed for all four of these models will be made available within the next six weeks.
Although the reported deaths involved head trauma, the CPSC puts great emphasis on the importance of wearing personal protective equipment while riding any type of skateboard. This not only includes helmets but also guards for the knees, elbows, and wrists.
The Onewheel skateboards subject to the recall were sold between January 2014 and September 2023, with prices ranging from $1,050 to $2,200. Affected consumers are urged to visit the CPSC’s website for further information regarding the recall and steps to ensure their safety.
In conclusion, the CPSC’s recall of 300,000 self-balancing Onewheel electric skateboards aims to address the deaths and injuries associated with these products. Future Motion Inc. is taking steps to rectify the issue, offering refunds and providing firmware updates for certain models. Skateboarders are reminded of the importance of wearing protective equipment while engaging in their activities.
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