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I am currently working on legislation in Congress that would ban the importation of Yo-Yo Balls, dangerous toys that have caused the strangulation and near death of over two hundred children across the United States. These inexpensive toys, which are made of a bungee cord and a ball filled with water, are used by children as yo-yos. The problem is that when children twirl Yo-Yo Balls into the air, these toys can and sometimes do snap back and wrap around unsuspecting children's necks. Parents across our district and country are awakening to this public safety hazard, especially as the summer approaches, and our government needs to act now to ensure that these toys cannot harm another child.
The risk these toys pose is well known, but U.S. officials are not doing enough to eliminate this danger. Yo-Yo balls have already been banned in a number of other countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Luxembourg, and Brazil. Germany and New Zealand, and the states of New York and Massachusetts, have all issued warnings to consumers regarding Yo-Yo Balls, and these toys have been named one of the Ten Worst Toys by the organization World Against Toys Causing Harm. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the lead federal agency charged with protecting consumers, has received at least 262 reports of Yo-Yo Balls harming children, but has so far resisted any attempt to ban or recall these dangerous toys.
It is alarmingly clear that Yo-Yo Balls have the potential to kill a child, and we cannot make the mistake of waiting for such a horrible incident to occur before we take action. I am therefore preparing legislation in Congress that would keep these toys out of our country altogether and end this danger now. We cannot take any chances when our children's lives are at risk.
I will keep you informed of the progress of this legislation through this forum. In the meantime, if you would like to visit the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, please click here: http://www.cpsc.gov. |
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