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Photo via Hovervault
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Hoverboard fires? No problem

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An Australian based company has built something that might just limit the amount of hoverboard fires that users of the popular device have been seeing. It might even be something that Councilman Greenlee could appreciate. 

The Hovervault is a fire-resistant bag that, according to its description, will prevent a malfunctioning hoverboard from setting everything and everyone on fire if it should burst into flames. The specially designed bag allows user to charge their hoverboard in the bag, as well as transport it. 

In an interview with Mashable Australia, Hovervault’s James Stewart said that he was inspired to make the bad after using similar products when transporting his own hobby drones. Stewart purchased specialty pouches, known as Lipo bags, after discovering many drones have lithium polymer batteries, which are believed to be reason for many of the hoverboard fires. 

“The bags basically suffocates a fire and stops it from becoming a raging inferno,” Stewart told Mashable. 

After hearing reports of the hoverboard’s fire problem, Stewart wondered why no one had made a similar bag for larger devices. Amazon does sell something similar called the HoverCover, a fire resistant hoverboard bag. 

Made from 2-millimeter fiberglass composite weave, the Hovervault won't stop a fire from occurring, but it will contain and eventually suffocate the flames until the danger has passed, Stewart said. "This thing won't stop a fire, it will contain a fire," he added. "It's quite a proven material to withhold the high temperatures these things can burn at." 

The bag will vent smoke, but the minute that it’s opened again, if there's lithium remaining, it could flare up, Stewart explained, given that lithium reacts to oxygen.

Stewart and his team have done in-house testing of the bags, according to Mashable, with various batteries, but added that independent testing and accreditation is expected to occur shortly, before the product releases this March.The bag will cost $59.95 (U.S.$42.47), but is available for preorder at $49.95 (U.S.$35.39).

"It's designed to help reduce the damage caused by a fire, as long as you're following the instructions that come with it," Stewart said.