Hoverboards seem to be the new fad.  Just about anywhere, you can find somebody on a hoverboard.

However, you won’t find them on these campuses: University of Alabama, University of Arkansas, Louisiana State University, Mississippi State University, Vanderbilt University, Georgia State University, University of Kentucky, and others.  When looking at the reasons for these bans, nearly every one reports fire or safety concerns.

“I don’t think they should ban them from campuses, but I understand why they did,” Oxford High sophomore Noah Camp said.

So, how safe are these hoverboards?  When people started hearing about hoverboards catching fire or exploding, the concern arose.  About a dozen hoverboards exploded in 2015.  When they catch fire, they can burn down entire houses.

“I think they definitely need to fix that because it is a safety hazard,” said OHS junior Sean Brown.

Some blame the lithium ion batteries for these accidents.  However, your laptop, tablet, or phone likely has one of these, and they are not prone to explode.  Right now, there is no known single reason for why these explode or catch fire.  Therefore, there is no way to avoid an explosion.

Officials are scrambling to find some sort of way to avoid these explosions, but no direct cause has been found.  Many officials say that overcharging causes the fires, but a Florida resident’s hoverboard caught on fire while he was riding it on the sidewalk.

“Honestly, I’m really surprised,” said OHS junior Jacob Sandlin. “That is pretty scary.  They need to get it together and then keep selling.

“I think they’re cool, but I don’t want to explode.”

With a legitimate safety concern on their hands, campuses immediately started a ban on them.  While it is easy to be irritated that someone could kick you out because of your hoverboard, understand that you are riding on a potential bomb.

Campuses are not just banning these hoverboards, either.  They are banned on subways, trains, and buses in New York City, and on nearly all planes.