Hoverboards may be one of the hottest Christmas gifts this year but the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is investigating the hazards of the toy.
Experts say most injuries on a hoverboard happen within the first few minutes of getting on board.
Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center in Fort Myers is starting the first ever Hoverboard Training Center in Southwest Florida. The physical therapy center is using their over head safety support system that helps patients retrain their balance and teach how to ride hoverboards in a safe way.
"Your balance for the hoverboard is similar like learning your balance for the first time after an injury," Dr. Chris Mulvey with Fyzical said. "When they have the confidence they'll know how to do it."
Participants are harnessed to an overhead system of 15 thousand pounds of reinforced steel above the ceiling that can handle a fall. Each participant goes through the hoverboard course with each obstacle helping build confidence in their skill to ride.
Dr. Virginia Reed says the injuries a hoverboard can cause range from a sprain to brain damage.
"If the hoverboard goes out from under you forward, you go backward, and you don't have a way to stop," Dr. Reed said. "You slam your head back into the concrete then you can have a brain injury, a traumatic brain injury."
Fyzical Therapy and Balance Center will be offering 20 minute hoverboard classes for $20 starting next Sunday with proceeds going to The United Way.
