By Rachel Konieczny
News editor
St. Bonaventure University banned hoverboards on Monday in an effort to protect against a potential fire hazard.
“Several reported actual fires have occurred regarding these devices,” said Ralph Aloia, assistant director of safety and security and campus fire and life safety officer.
Aloia said Bonaventure, among other colleges, acted early in implementing a ban on the two-wheeled balance board. The New York State Fire Prevention and Control issued a safety alert that explained a recent incident of a Swagway brand hoverboard catching fire while charging, said Aloia.
Nichole Gonzalez, director of residential living and conduct, said students cannot possess hoverboards on campus.
“I know that there are certain brands that it’s happening more with, but until this issue is better resolved with hoverboards in general, [the fire hazard] is the reason [for the ban],” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said there have been no issues on campus regarding hoverboards.
Aloia compared hoverboards to issues with new battery technology in the early 2000s, such as laptop fires and lithium batteries. He said he checks several times a year on products brought to campus during fire safety inspections.
Aloia said he is aware of one student on campus who possesses a hoverboard and the university is holding the device until it is taken home by the student.
“It’s a precaution to prevent students from unnecessary risk,” Aloia said. “Normally, within a few years, the manufacturers and agencies will come down on the companies for producing untested products and selling to the public that are not safe.”
koniecrc14@bonaventure.edu
