October 21, 2026 — A HAGUL S1 underwater scooter has been the subject of a consumer incident report detailing a fire hazard during charging, where its charging plug melted and caught fire, causing smoke and damage. The manufacturer, Tianjin Hailang E-commerce Co., Ltd., suggests their investigation indicates that salt water ingress into the charging connector may contribute to an abnormal electrical condition and overheating.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident was first reported on September 10, 2026, by a consumer who purchased a HAGUL S1 underwater scooter for their grand kids’ pool use. Less than a few months after purchase, while the scooter was connected to its charger, it reportedly started to catch fire. At the time of the initial report, the consumer expressed difficulty in receiving a response from the manufacturer.
An update on September 30, 2026, clarified that the charging plug was the source of the fire. The consumer provided photographic evidence showing the melted plug and the side of the scooter melting and smoking.
The manufacturer, Tianjin Hailang E-commerce Co., Ltd., acknowledged the report on September 25, 2026, stating they were communicating with the consumer and had processed a refund. Following a completed technical investigation, the manufacturer provided further details on October 20, 2026. Their investigation focused on the magnetic charging connector, which exhibited the most severe visible thermal damage. Verification testing revealed that one out of ten samples subjected to a two-hour immersion in 3.5% salt water exhibited abnormal heating at the charging connector, leading to plastic melting, terminal darkening, and PCBA carbonization. Samples immersed in fresh water did not show comparable abnormalities. While the precise mechanism for the reported incident was not conclusively confirmed through physical examination of the incident-related charging connector, the test results support the assessment that the entry of salt water or another highly conductive liquid into the magnetic charging connector could cause an abnormal electrical condition and localized overheating.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several serious safety concerns associated with the HAGUL S1 underwater scooter, particularly regarding its charging mechanism:
- Fire Hazard: The most immediate and severe risk is the potential for fire. A charging device catching fire can rapidly spread, leading to significant property damage to homes, garages, or wherever the product is being charged.
- Burn Injuries: Individuals, especially children (as the product was purchased for grandchildren), could sustain severe burn injuries if they are near the scooter when it ignites or if they attempt to handle it immediately after the incident.
- Smoke Inhalation: A burning product produces toxic smoke, posing a risk of smoke inhalation injuries to anyone in the vicinity.
- Electrical Hazard: An uncontrolled electrical event, especially one involving melting components and potential short circuits, carries a risk of electrical shock. This risk is heightened if the product is charged in proximity to water or conductive materials.
- Unattended Charging Risk: Many consumers charge devices overnight or while away, which could lead to a fire escalating unchecked if the incident occurs when no one is present to intervene.
- Unknown Failure Rate: While the manufacturer’s testing suggests salt water ingress as a potential cause, the actual field failure rate remains unknown, raising questions about the prevalence of this risk among the broader user base.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own a HAGUL S1 underwater scooter or a similar product should take the following precautions:
- Immediately Cease Use and Charging: If you own a HAGUL S1 underwater scooter, stop using and charging the device immediately to prevent a potential fire or electrical hazard.
- Unplug Safely: If the scooter is currently plugged in, carefully unplug it from the power outlet, avoiding contact with any melted or damaged parts.
- Inspect Charging Port: Before any future charging, thoroughly inspect the magnetic charging connector for any signs of corrosion, foreign matter, or damage. Ensure the charging port is completely dry, especially after use in salt water or chlorinated water.
- Charge in a Safe Location: If you continue to use the product, charge it in a non-combustible area, away from flammable materials, and on a hard, non-flammable surface. Do not charge it unattended or overnight.
- Contact the Manufacturer/Retailer: Reach out to Tianjin Hailang E-commerce Co., Ltd. or Amazon to report any issues or to inquire about a refund or replacement.
- Report to the CPSC: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.SaferProducts.gov. This helps the CPSC track incidents and potentially initiate further action.
- Retain Evidence: If an incident occurs, preserve the product, charger, and any packaging, along with photos or videos, as evidence.
Manufacturer’s Response
Tianjin Hailang E-commerce Co., Ltd. has taken the reported incident seriously. They confirmed communication with the consumer, including multiple follow-up attempts, and processed a full refund.
Their technical investigation, completed as of October 20, 2026, identified the magnetic charging connector as the area of most severe thermal damage. Internal verification testing suggested that the entry of salt water or another highly conductive liquid into the charging connector may lead to abnormal electrical conditions and localized overheating. The company noted that there was no direct evidence of thermal runaway in the battery pack, cells, or battery management system (BMS) in the available photographs.
As corrective and preventive actions, the company has committed to:
- Inspecting relevant charging connectors in their inventory.
- Reviewing after-sales records for similar reports.
- Improving charging-interface notices to warn users about the presence of water and foreign matter.
- Evaluating the charging-connector design and exploring additional protective measures.
The company has submitted its technical investigation report and detailed charging-connector overheating verification test report to the CPSC.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Farzan Law is a California based Personal Injury law firm focusing on protecting the rights of those wrongfully injured.
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Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.