UAE hover-board ban? Why parents are driving force

After the recent ban of the use of air wheels in the shopping malls in Dubai and on the streets in Abu Dhabi, many parents welcomed the ban and said it was needed badly.

Emirates 24|7 spoke to a cross-section of parents in Dubai, who said that such devices should not be sold to either children or adults as well and described it as hazardous devices.

Sheikha Al Shamsi, an Emirati mother of three from Sharjah said that her ten-year-old nephew fell down from the air wheel and got injured on his face.

"My nephew fell from the air wheel while playing in the backyard of the house, and he got cuts on his lips and had sever face injuries.”

She pointed out that her sister bought him proper head helmet, but he refused to wear them.

"He has a helmet, but he doesn’t like wearing it. Now he is in terrible condition as he had to have many stiches on his lips.”

Abdul Aziz Al Tannak, Director of Commercial Control in DED, said: "We will put up signs banning the use of these Segway scooters across malls in co-ordination with the malls management. Mall visitors are requested to co-operate and adhere to the ban in order to prevent inconvenience and damages to both traders as well as other visitors.

We also call on parents to prevent their children from using these devices in malls to avoid accidents and any legal liability that may follow.”

Emirates 24|7 has earlier reported Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai has asked all malls in the emirate to prohibit the use of Segway scooters and hover-boards inside after growing consumer complaints and concerns expressed by shopkeepers on collision damage.

Following the ban, another UAE national from Ajman, Aisha Al Suwaidi, said that her son suffered from serious injuries on his shoulder when he fall from the air wheel.

"It is not an easy device to play with for both children and adults. No matter how experts and trained children and adults think they are, it is difficult for them to balance on it. Fortunately, he only got hair line fracture in his shoulder bone, which doctors said will heal on its own without the need of plaster. However, I have thrown the air wheel, and not going to buy it for any of my children in future. And I am happy that they banned it in the parks, and I hope they ban it completely as it is too dangerous to use, especially for children.”

Giezi Mendoza, a Canadian living in Dubai and mother of two said that her nephew's friend broke this arm while using one of these air wheels.

"They are dangerous and too risky for the safety of the user and those around him too. I saw a child using it at a restaurant, which I thought is absurd and should be ban from all indoor public areas including restaurants."

She added that she is not going to buy it for her kids.

Christy Murray, a South African mother of two living in Dubai said that she will never buy this device to her sons.

"I will not be buying it for my children. It is hazardous if not wearing the right protection. Also there is nowhere for them to play this safely. I work in Health, Safety, and Environment Communications – Jincom, and I see accidents just from not wearing the right personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, reflective clothing, goggles etc. So, I wouldn’t want my sons on this unless looking ridiculous in a full protective body suit."

Abu Dhabi Police has also called upon parents to ensure children use 'hover boards', known locally as balance wheels, only in designated areas.

The alert follows an unfortunate incident where a child on a hover board was run over by a vehicle.

Colonel Jamal Salem Al Ameri, Chief, Public Relations Section, Abu Dhabi Traffic and Patrols Directorate, stressed upon the risks involved in using smart balance wheels on roads.

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