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Family Voices
Andrew
submitted by his mother, Lisa
My name is Lisa Lipin. I want to inform every parent around the country
about a potentially deadly toy known as the "Yo-Yo Water Ball".
On July 22, 2003, my then 5yr.old son, Andrew, was playing with his yo-yo water
ball swinging it around his head when suddenly the cord of the toy wrapped 4 times
around his neck cutting off his airway. Andrew quickly ran to me and in a faint
voice said "cut, cut". I didn't have time to look for a scissor instead I just
took by hand and ripped the cord up over his face and head. Andrew was left with
red strangulation marks for a few days but a memory that I'm sure will last a
lifetime for both of us. I contacted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
the next morning to file an incident report. I was stunned when I was told by the
CPSC operator that they were already aware of the strangulation hazard,
there had been many reports already made and currently the toy was under
investigation. I told the man that I was going to contact the media to make sure
that this child safety issue was made public.
This was the beginning of my 10 month campaign to get yo-yo water balls banned for
sale in the United States. I contacted many IL politicians to ask for assistance
in getting the government to take action. I contacted all media sources to bring
the issue to parents. I have appeared on many news segments on NBC, ABC & FOX.
Many articles have been written in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times,
Pioneer Press & Washington Post. I contacted consumer advocates around the country
including Kids In Danger,
W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) and the
Consumer Federation of America. Recently, my son and I testified at an IL Senate
Committee Hearing in Springfield where the senators unanimously approved to move
a proposed Resolution to the senate floor that urges the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission to ban this dangerous toy.
My voice is being heard loud and clear around the country. While we are very fortunate
as parents to have organizations like Kids In Danger and other advocacy agencies, we
must remember that parents can make a difference too! I remain committed to protecting
the children in our country from unsafe children's toys. I encourage all parents to do
the same. Our children are our future and they depend on us for their safety!
Editor's Note: You can contact Lisa and read more about the "Yo-Yo Water Ball" at
Dangers Of Water Yo-Yo's.
Due to the efforts of Lisa, yo-yo balls are now banned in Illinois and New Jersey and similar legislation is being considered in other states.
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Andrew
At five years old Andrew was almost strangled by his yo-yo water ball. The cord of the
toy wrapped 4 times around his neck cutting off his airway. Luckily his mother
was able to remove the cord in time.
There have been 374 incidents involving this toy, and even after investigations
finding the toy potentially deadly the CPSC has not recalled it.
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For more information, check out:
Product Hazards/Toys
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