Hoverboards have caused quite a spark in conversation recently as students return to campus after the winter break. The futuristic gadget is a self-balancing, two-wheel motorized board that utilizes technology that seemed a distant dream in “Back to the Future.” Parents, college students, and celebrities alike have been spotted ‘hovering’ down the sidewalk, to the store and to class.

Unfortunately, the future is further away than consumers thought when the high-tech boards began to malfunction and spontaneously catch on fire when charging. These boards from the future have been causing mischief all over the state, including house fires and even burning riders while in motion.

To avoid random combustions at Arkansas State University, hoverboards cannot be used, stored or charged in any campus facility, but may be ridden on sidewalks and parking lots.

After it was apparent that this was not just a malfunction of one, scientists took to research in an attempt to answer the blazing question of what the cause was in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

The cause was found to be an issue with the battery in the boards, mostly while charging. Buyers are now being urged to steer clear of cheaper versions of the product. Just by looking at the boards, there is no way to determine if it will have the same problem.

When discussing the product’s increase in sales, sophomore Terence Allen said, “They’re blowing up all right.” As one of the hottest and hardest gifts to find during the Christmas holiday, many people were excited and expecting to enjoy their hoverboard in the year 2016.

Although this rule upset many students with the boards, others understand the danger and agree with the university’s decision.

Despite just receiving a hoverboard, A-State student Edwin Escalera agrees and said, “keeping them in residence halls would be a bad idea, especially since there have been issues with them, they are a hazard.”

By keeping them out of the buildings and residence halls, students will avoid possible danger that some of the boards have while stored or charging.

The hoverboards did not bring the futuristic new year hoped for by many, but the malfunctions did provide future buyers with the necessary steps for a safe purchase with the proper flare.