HOVERBOARDS

- "Self-balancing scooters" are known by various names including "hoverboards" and "rideables".

- Gyroscopes are used to counter-balance and control the speed of the wheels - with some models capable of travelling at up to 12 mph.

- They are banned from use on public pavements and roads in the UK.

- The Crown Prosecution Service has issued guidance stating they "are not legal for road use".

- According to the Department for Transport, it is only legal to use them on private property with the owner's consent.

- The same applies to Segway scooters, with one Yorkshire man successfully prosecuted and fined £75 for riding one on the pavement.

- A number of airlines, including leading airline groups American, Delta and United, have banned passengers from taking so-called hoverboards onto flights, saying their batteries present an unacceptable fire hazard.

VOCABULARY

counter-balance: oppose an equal weight  (contrarrestar)

banned : prohibited, forbidden 

issue: publish

guidance: counselling 

consent: approval (with the owner's consent: con el consentimiento del propietario)

to prosecute: to bring a criminal action against somebody for some offence. (procesar)

to fine: charge or penalize (multar)

so-called: called or designated thus ( así llamado, denominado)

hazard: danger (fire hazard: peligro de incendio)

AMAZON TELLS CUSTOMERS TO THROW AWAY UNSAFE HOVERBOARDS

Three of the UK's biggest retailers, including online giant Amazon, are advising customers to dispose of hoverboards amid safety concerns. There have been many online reports of the toy catching fire and exploding. Stores have told consumers they will get a refund if they take their hoverboard to a special recycling centre for electronic equipment. They have asked manufacturers to address these safety issues. Hoverboards are self-balancing, two-wheeled scooters that can transport users like a skateboard, but without using any physical effort. They are currently one of the most popular gifts for children this Christmas and the retailers' decision will disappoint many kids hoping for the popular device.

Electrical Safety First, a consumer protection group in the UK, said that around half-a-million people in the UK have bought a hoverboard as a Christmas gift. Another million people have put it on their shopping list in the run-up to Christmas Day. Britain's largest bricks-and-mortar retailer Tesco said: "We've suspended the sale of all hoverboards, both in stores and online, as a precautionary measure." Amazon said of the call to dispose of the hoverboards: "We regret the inconvenience this may cause you but trust you will understand that your safety and satisfaction is our highest priority." Hoverboards cannot be used on public roads in Britain because they have not been registered as vehicles.

Vocabulary
retailer: store ( minorista)
to dispose of: throw away (desechar)
amid: in the middle of
safety concerns: (preocupaciones/motivos de seguridad)
get a refund: get your money back ( conseguir un reembolso)
issue: question, problem (safety issues: cuestiones de seguridad)
currently: now, at present ( actualmente)
device: gadget, machine ( aparato)
run-up: preceeding period (víspera, período previo a)
bricks-and-mortar: existing physically, not virtual (establecimiento tradicional ( de ladrillo y argamasa, no virtual) 
precautionary : calling for caution ( precautionary measure: medida de prevención)
inconvenience: something that causes discomfort or trouble (molestias)