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NEWARK - Yo-Yo Waterballs, a toy banned from sale in New Jersey since April because of its strangulation risk to children, have been found at retail locations following random inspections conducted by investigators from the state Division of Consumer Affairs since mid-June.
Yo-Yo Waterballs are inexpensive yo-yo toys that contain a rubber ball filled with liquid attached to a rubber cord. The cord has a finger loop on its end and can be stretched about three feet when swung.
Consumer Affairs investigators found and confiscated more than 1,200 Yo-Yo Waterballs at boardwalk vendors in Atlantic City, Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights and Wildwood during inspections conducted so far this summer.
Earlier this month, Consumer Affairs investigators found Yo-Yo Waterballs for sale at a Five Below store. Once notified, Five Below management immediately cooperated with Consumer Affairs to remove any Yo-Yo Waterballs that were being offered for sale in any of its 22 New Jersey retail locations. As a result of this effort, 245 Yo-Yo Waterballs were found, with Five Below destroying 105 items and Consumer Affairs investigators confiscating the remaining 140.
Consumer Affairs investigators have since conducted inspections of other retail chains, but have found no Yo-Yo Waterballs being offered for sale.
“This toy’s documented history of causing severe injuries to children led to its sales ban in New Jersey. It is unacceptable that we have found this product still being offered for sale. We want retailers and consumers alike to be aware that Yo-Yo Waterballs cannot legally be offered for sale in New Jersey,” said David Szuchman, Consumer Affairs Director.
To, date, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) has not banned the sale of Yo-Yo Waterballs. The CPSC, however, has reported that Yo-Yo Waterballs pose a potential strangulation risk.
Between December 1, 2002 and October 31, 2006, the CPSC received 416 reported incidents involving Yo-Yo Waterballs. Of these reported incidents, 290 involved the cord of the Yo-Yo Waterball becoming wrapped around the head or neck, with 16 reports stating that the person involved lost consciousness.
Director Szuchman noted that there was a three-month period before the law took effect after Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the enacting legislation in January 2008
“No excuses from retailers will be tolerated, no more children should be put at unnecessary risk,” Szuchman said. “No one should be selling Yo-Yo Waterballs in New Jersey, period.”
Ellen Blacker of Scotch Plains attended today’s press conference with her daughter, Sydney, and recounted how the five-year-old was strangled by the cord of a Yo-Yo Waterball while playing with the toy. Sydney had turned blue in the face and sustained burst blood vessels before her mother removed the wrapped cord from around her neck
“The strangulation risk is real,” Blacker said. “As happened to Sydney, the cord can quickly become wrapped around the neck and strangle a child.”
Consumer Affairs will be circulating a letter to county school superintendents advising about the dangers of Yo-Yo Waterballs and New Jersey’s sale ban. Consumer Affairs is requesting that copies of the letter be sent home with children to advise parents.
A person found selling or offering for sale Yo-Yo Waterballs faces an initial civil penalty of up to $10,000 and up to $20,000 for subsequent violations.
Anyone who finds yo-yo waterballs for offered for sale can contact Consumer Affairs at 1-800-242-5846 (toll-free within New Jersey) or via the Division’s Web site, www.njconsumeraffairs.gov
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