Safety experts slam Yo-Yo Water Ball as unsafe

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Unsafe at any speed?
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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Clarksburg Voters to Elect Town Officers on Tuesday

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Voters on Tuesday will determine races on the Select Board and School Committee.
 
The town annual election is from noon to 7 p.m. at the Community Center. Seats up for a election are Select Board, School Committee, Board of Health, library trustee and War Memorial, one seat each for three years; moderator and tree warden, each for one year; and a five-year seat on the Planning Board. 
 
The three candidates for Select Board discussed their visions and qualifications last Monday at a forum sponsored by the Council on Aging at the Community Center. 
 
Town Moderator Ronald Boucher fielded questions for the Colton Andrews, Bryana Malloy and Seth Alexander, who are running for the three-year seat being vacated by Jeffrey Levanos. 
 
Alexander is also running against incumbent Cynthia Brule for School Committee as well as for town moderator and Planning Board.
 
"I think it's great for the residents to get an idea who's running for office and ask them some important questions and listen to what they have to say," said Boucher to the few dozen residents in attendance, adding that he wanted to thank Levanos — who has served on the Select Board and School Committee — for his time and devotion to the town. 
 
Malloy moved to Clarksburg several years ago after four years in Maui, Hawaii, and is currently manager of industry relations and Berkshire market maker at MassHire. She's also a cross-country coach at McCann Technical School and she and her husband have three children.
 
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