Hoverboards Banned at Kean University

Union, NJ -- Kean University has banned hoverboards.

“It’s a no brainer,” said Len Dolan, managing director of fire safety for Kean University. “It has been documented in the media that these things are prone to catching fire while being used by the owner or charging. Clearly there is some kind of defect.”

The ban was announced on the university’s Twitter page on Jan. 4, effective immediately. However, the school is currently on winter break so students will not be affected until the spring session begins and they return to their dorms on Jan. 19.

Hover boards are prohibited on the Union and Kean Ocean campuses due to potential fire and safety hazards. Thank you for your cooperation.

— Kean University (@KeanUniversity) January 4, 2016

“My recommendation was to institute a ban because of the potential to catch fire,” Dolan said. “We don’t want a fire in the dorms.”

There are 2,000 students who live on campus in dorms at Kean University.

“Assuming there will be more hoverboards in the spring that kids got as gifts for the holidays, it is a small number of people to inconvenience to keep the 14,000 population safe,” Dolan said.

An e-mail blast will be sent out to all students notifying them of the ban shortly.