Trendy ‘Hoverboards’ are the must-have teen tech toy this year - and already to be seen zooming around parks all over the country. But the devices are actually highly unsafe, fire services have warned.

London Fire Brigade says it has attended numerous blazes caused by hoverboards - many of which are imported devices, some of which come with chargers with are non-compliant with safety regulations.

Steve Curtler from Electrical Safety First said: ‘People are definitely at risk from what we’ve seen,
particularly the charger: There’s no fuse, there’s no protection, so it’s just going to short-circuit, overheat, explode, and catch fire.’

The gadgets could also be illegal to ride.

The Metropolitan Police Tweeted saying that the gadgets are technically motor vehicles, so can’t be used on pavements - but don’t meet official guidelines for use on roads, either.

Legally, users have to stick to private property - and ask the permission of the landowner first - which is bad news for owners already whizzing around London parks.

The Met said, ‘They’re technically motor vehicles and therefore have to be registered, licensed and insured to ride on public roads.

‘The wheels are powered by electric motors which enable it to move, therefore legally it’s a “motor vehicle”.’