Yo-yo toys pose new concerns

far from fun Small parts in these toys pose a choking hazard.

Yo-yo balls, the rubbery, fluid-filled toys we judged Not Acceptable in December 2003 because their elastic cords could wrap around a child’s neck and cut off circulation, have morphed into different shapes that hold even more hazards.

The fluid has been replaced by a battery and components that make the toy blink. During lab tests and real-life tests with supervised 4-year-olds, the parts fell out of the squishy material or tore through it in four of the six toys we tried. Kids could choke on the parts, and a battery could eat away at the esophagus or stomach lining.

Consumers have filed nearly 400 complaints about yo-yo balls with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which concluded that the toys posed little risk and did not merit a recall or ban. In 16 complaints, the victim lost consciousness. Since the end of 2003, complaints have dropped, possibly because many major retailers no longer sell the balls, which are usually made in China or Taiwan and lack a brand name.

But they’re still being sold. Steve Forde, CPSC Public Affairs spokesman, told us the agency had not received any incident or injury reports about the newer toys. “If and when any serious incidents are reported,” he said, “we would certainly monitor the situation and take appropriate action based on the hazard.” Meanwhile, Illinois has become the first state to ban the sale of yo-yo water balls.