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Colleges are banning hoverboards because they're worried about explosions

On Tuesday, Miami University in Ohio became the latest university to ban hoverboards from its campuses over concerns that the batteries could explode and cause a fire.

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"Recent events have demonstrated that some batteries and chargers for self-balancing personal scooters, popularly called hoverboards, can be prone to explosion, creating a substantial safety and fire risk," the University wrote in an email to students, faculty, and staff that was obtained by Tech Insider.

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The mascot for the Phoenix Suns mascot rides a hoverboard. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

"Do NOT bring one of these devices to campus when you return for spring semester," the letter says.

Miami of Ohio is not alone. According to the Associated Press, more than 30 colleges or universities have adopted such policies on their campuses. The University of Illinois, Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, American University, George Washington University, Louisiana State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Arkansas, all restricting the use or possession of hoverboards.

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Fires from the vehicles have been reported in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Washington, and New York, among other places. According to Wired, at least some of the fires can be attributed to the low quality of the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries being used in some versions of hoverboards, which can explode when they're punctured.

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Major airlines including Delta, American, Southwest, and United, have also banned them over safety concerns, and Amazon has stopped selling them.

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