Safety experts slam Yo-Yo Water Ball as unsafe

12:00AM / Wednesday, June 11, 2003Print Story | Email Story

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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North Adams Council Recognizes Special Olympian, OKs Account Transfers

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
11:20AM / Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Jenna Thomas has participated in the Special Olympics for more than 20 years, earning numerous medals.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Special Olympian Jenna Thomas was recognized at City Council on Tuesday for her medal-winning performance at the 2026 games last month in Minnesota.

"I think it's so appropriate as I'm about to proclaim Disabilities Pride Month that we recognize and honor Jenna," said Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who had Thomas join her at the podium."

Thomas was one of nearly 3,000 athletes who participated in the 2026 Special Olympics, which brought nearly 3,000 athletes from across the country to celebrate the talents, determinations, and achievements of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She won bronze as a member of the Berkshire County Arc Titans bowling team, a fourth in doubles with teammate Katherine Meunier and placed in the top 10 for singles nationally.

She's been participating in Special Olympics since her teenage years, competing in cross country skiing, track and field since 2009. Thomas switched to bowling in 2019 and has won gold; she was recognized by the mayor in 2023 for her athletic accomplishments representing Massachusetts and North Adams.

"Look at how beautiful that is — a bronze medal in bowling and placed fourth in the doubles competition, demonstrating her dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship on the national stage," said the mayor. "She also got to meet the governor's partner, Joanna [Lydgate], who we went out with for ice cream. ...

"In returning home, she credited her participation to the friendships she's made and the joy of competing ... her accomplishments are a source of pride for the city of North Adams and should serve as an inspiration for the entire community."

The mayor also presented $730,741.06 in end-of-year transfers. These transfers are made from accounts with excess funds to accounts that have gone over. Every line with the exception of snow and ice must be balanced for the end of the year.

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