Playground toy banned after failing safety tests
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A fluid-filled ball on a rubber string that has proved a hit in playgrounds across the country became the first toy to be banned in Britain in more than a decade yesterday.
The yo-ball was ordered off the shelves after failing government safety tests. A spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry said: "The supply of yo-balls is banned with immediate effect after tests have shown that the toy could pose a risk of strangulation." He said there were eight reported incidents of children choking on the toy in the past month. In two cases, children lost consciousness. Olivia Henderson, six, from Middlesbrough, suffered a burst blood vessel in an eye when the string wound itself around her neck.
An estimated 5 million yo-balls, which first went on sale about two months ago, have been imported from China. The toycosts about £2 and is distributed by several suppliers, who have been told of the ban.
Yo-balls were banned in France and Switzerland because of several serious accidents.
The last toy to be taken off the shelves in Britain was also a ball filled with fluid. It was banned in 1992 after children broke off parts of the ball and choked on them.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments