Citing media coverage of several recent fire incidents, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued a series of safety tips urging hover board owners to read product guidelines and be aware of potential fire hazards when using these trendy devices.

According to Roselle Fire Marshal Robert Morris, while hover boards are one of the hottest gift items this holiday season, some have the potential to start a fire. Amazon.com pulled several models of hover boards from their site due to safety risks.

The NFPA offers the following tips to keep the holidays fire-safe. If you purchase a hover board:

• Choose a device with the seal of an independent testing laboratory.
• Read and follow all manufacturer directions. If you do not understand the directions, ask for help.
• An adult should be responsible for charging the hover board.
• Do not leave a charging hover board unattended.
• Never leave the hover board plugged in overnight.
• Only use the charging cord that came with the hover board.
• Stop using your hover board if it overheats.
• Extreme hot or cold temperature can hurt the battery.
• Be on the lookout for product updates from manufacturers and safety groups.
• Many airlines have banned hover boards. If you plan to fly with a hover board, be sure to check with your air carrier.
• When riding in a car, keep the hover board where you can see it in case it shows signs of a problem.

Some hover board fires have involved the Lithium-Ion battery or charger. Signs of a problem include:

• Leaking fluids
• Excessive heat
• Odor
• Sparking
• Smoke

If you notice any of these signs, stop using the device right away and call 9-1-1.  If safe to do so, move the hover board outside away from anything that can burn. If you have had a fire or injury event involving a hover board, contact the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.