A popular new toy, known as the "Yo-Yo Water Ball," a liquid filled bungee ball, has been known to poison and choke young children as well as ignite rapidly when in contact with an open flame. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation wants parents to understand the immediate dangers of this toy and urges the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall the toy.
"It was clear this toy was unsafe from the minute I touched it," said Beth Lindstrom, Director of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. "The smell of gasoline was quite potent and lingered on my hands for so long - it was unmistakable that this toy was hazardous."
Scientist Jim Polansky investigated the Yo-Yo Water Ball at his Expert Chemical Analysis lab in San Diego, California. Polansky found that the water inside does not appear to be toxic, but discovered the ball itself is made from diesel hydrocarbons.
"I was stunned when I held a lighter to a piece of this diesel gel ball. It caught fire instantly and burned so hot it broke the lab dish beneath it," Polansky said. "The water inside did nothing to slow the burn."
Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan agrees the toy is a fire hazard.
"Things that catch fire quickly are not safe playthings for our youngsters and could cause needless fires and burn injuries" said Coan. "I join with Director Lindstrom in urging the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to complete their investigation and recall this unsafe product as expeditiously as possible."
In addition to the fire hazard, the Yo-Yo Water Ball can easily choke a child. The cord is made of a rubbery plastic, which extends four or five feet and since this is not a typical hard wooden yo-yo, children are not afraid to swing these soft squishy yo-yo's around their heads.
"It would only take a second for these stretchy cords to become tangled around a child's neck," said Lindstrom. "Further, children squeeze, pull and squish these yo-yo's and the plastic exterior can easily be broken. The substance inside is intriguing to a young one, but the exterior casing may be toxic and should not be consumed by children."
In New York State, the Consumer Protection Board called for the removal of this toy from store shelves after a six-year-old boy broke open the plastic ball and consumed some of its contents and another was strangled by the Yo-Yo Ball's cord.
Lindstrom supports New York in their call for action by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has the power to produce a recall of this toy.
Currently, there are 30 different types of water balls made in China and Taiwan and shipped to stores in the United States under such names as "Yo-Yo Water Ball" and "Water Yo-Yo." Selling for approximately a dollar a piece, this product can be found locally at 7-Eleven, Ocean State Job Lot, Buck-A-Book and other bargain stores.
The Yo-Yo Water Ball can also be purchased online. Ebay (www.ebay.com) currently lists over 12 different types of Yo-Yo Water Balls for sale and The Imperial Toy Corporation's website (www.imperialtoys.com) advertises the toy as: "The absolute hottest, most wackiest craze in the entire toy industry since the beginning of 2003, has been the Yo Yo Water Ball. Simply filled with water for tons of fun and available in hot neon colors for fast action finger fun and more . . . Throw it! Catch it! Bounce it! Join the craze now!!!!!"
Consumers who have questions about the dangers of this toy can contact the Office of Consumer Affairs toll free at 888-283-3757.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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