Issue Date:  -  Monday, 12 May 2003

CHILDREN'S YO-YO TOY BANNED

An innocent looking rubber ball on a retractable jelly-like string capable of wrapping around a child's neck causing strangulation has been banned from sale in WA.

Consumer Protection has raised an Interim Prohibition Order following initial investigations into the brightly coloured soft rubber balls that can be propelled great distances on their highly elasticised strings.

Sarah, a young WA consumer noticed the toy on a British website and was quick to alert authorities. Product Safety Officers also noticed that some of the balls that are filled with a liquid have a chemical-like odour and have sent samples of these balls for analysis.

According to instructions on packaging, the user fits a rubber loop attached to the ball onto their finger. The ball is at the end of a stretchable rubber string and is then thrown. It returns at high speed and due to the jelly-like material it is highly unstable and can wrap around the users neck or hit them in the face.

"There are several varieties, colours and styles of these type of Yo-Yo Balls. Some are filled with a liquid, which could be harmful if swallowed and others contain a novelty inside the ball. The Prohibition Order covers all these types of Yo-Yo Balls.

"During our investigation one of our officers touched the sensitive skin around his eyes after handling one of the toys and suffered a rash-like irritation", Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

Some of the names being marketed are "The Original Yo-Yo Ball", "The Flashing Yo-Yo Ball" and the "Yo-Yo Sports Ball".

All types and brands are subject to the Prohibition Order.

"We are very concerned that the labelling on these products states that these items are suitable for children 3 years of age and older.

"Prices range from about $2 to $5 which puts these dangerous items well within the financial reach of anyone with children", Mr. Walker said.

Retailers should immediately remove these and similar items from sale or risk prosecution.

The Consumer Protection help-line is 1300 30 40 54.