Water Yo Yo's-Toys or Terrors?
A few months ago Call for Action reported on a yo-yo water ball after several parents contacted us because they thought the toy was dangerous. In fact one little girl from Pawtucket was nearly strangled by the toy. Our Call for Action report sparked a nationwide investigation and tonight the results.
Denise Bora, Makayla's Mother
She came in and said get it off..get it off get it off!
Get this off, an innocent looking toy that nearly caused Denise Bora's 9 year old daughter to choke to death.
Makayla
I tried to get it around here,but it went up and around my neck...
Wrapped so tightly, Makayla stopped breathing. She was rushed to Pawtucket Health Care Center, when she arrived the doctor's were horrified to see the injuries this toy caused.
Dr. Karl Ferber
Actually, so much compression that she popped blood vessels above her eyes!
Makayla's mother Called for Action to warn us about this toy...and to get the word out to other parents...we did, and we even alerted the Consumer Product Safety Commission---which launched an immediate investigation. Since our report aired, several states have banned the water yo-yo's, several major retailers stopped selling them...but today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced it's will not recall these toys. Despite the fact that they've received 186 reports of incidents in which the yo yo ball cord wrapped around a child's neck. But in a statement released to Call for Action, the agency defends it's decision.."...the cpsc staff has concluded that the toy poses a low risk of strangulation, especially for younger children. Based on the pattern of incidents...the yo-yo water ball toy does not meet Congressionally mandated standards for product recall." They did go on to say that parents should exercise caution in allowing children to play with this. Also, during our exclusive Call for Action investigation we found the yo-yo balls to be highly flammable, but again, the Consumer Product Safety Commission found no toxicity or flammability concerns. Regardless of the agencies findings, many schools in Rhode island and Massachusetts will continue to ban the toys.
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