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 Hires New Town Clerk/Assessor's Clerk

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — One small town's loss is another's win. The Select Board voted unanimously on Monday to offer the new post of town clerk/assessor's clerk to Amber Holland.
 
She accepted the post and will start April 6, training with Town Clerk Marilyn Gomeau until her retirement in May.
 
Holland has held multiple hats over the past 18 years working for Readsboro, Vt., including as the elected town clerk since 2011, selectmen's clerk, assessor's clerk, utility clerk, and administrator fill-in. 
 
When asked if she can do a budget for the town clerk's office, Holland replied that she prepares the draft budget for the whole town. 
 
The board was impressed by the range of her responsibilities and, said board member Colton Andrews, saw her as the "best option for plug and play."
 
"I think her ability to kind of transition between multiple different departments and job titles, I think really kind of separated her between the three applicants," he said. "And I think especially the way this office operates and Town Hall operates."
 
Board member Seth Alexander also was impressed by her experience, particularly in running elections, and Chair Daniel Haskins said her knowledge of municipal operations stood out.
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