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WASHINGTON, DC -
U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) sent a letter to
Nancy Nord, the Chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), to
again request that the CPSC act to remove yo-yo balls from toy store shelves.
Numerous incidents threatening the lives and safety of children and toddlers
have occurred over the last several years. Schakowsky, the top Democrat on the
Consumer Protection Subcommittee in the House of Representatives, has for years
spoken out on the risk yo-yo balls pose to the nation’s children.
“I believe it is time for the CPSC to issue a
national ban on the yo-yo ball,” Schakowsky said.
The text of Schakowsky’s letter, dated November 15,
2006, follows:
Dear Chairwoman Nord:
I am writing to follow up on my previous letters to
the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding the safety of the
children’s toy known as a yo-yo ball and to inquire about what steps the CPSC
plans to take to help prevent additional children from suffering injuries due to
its use. I appreciate that CPSC has recently announced that it will reopen its
2003 investigation into the risk this toy poses to children. However, it is time
for action, not further study. The yo-yo ball has seriously injured over 409
children in the United States. The latest incident was in mid-October 2006, when
Brayden Daher, a 5-year-old boy from Bellevue, Washington, was nearly strangled
when a yo-yo ball wrapped around his neck. I believe it is time for the CPSC to
issue a national ban of the yo-yo ball.
I continue to be disturbed by reports of the
injuries that have been inflicted by yo-yo balls. Some children have lost
consciousness due to strangulation. Others have suffered from concussions and
skull fractures. A number have sustained permanent eye injuries. I believe that
it is important to get yo-yo water balls out of stores and homes before a child
dies. As you may know, my home state of Illinois has issued a statewide ban of
the toy that took effect January 1, 2006. Yo-yo balls are banned in Canada,
France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Brazil.
I would like to know the timeline that the CPSC has
set for the conclusion of its investigation and when we can have a report of its
decision. It is my hope that the CPSC will finally recognize the threat of the
yo-yo ball and issue a national ban before a child needlessly dies from playing
with one. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you further to
ensure that no additional children in this country will suffer injuries from
playing with yo-yo balls.
Sincerely,
/s/
Jan Schakowsky
Ranking Member
Energy and Commerce Committee
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and
Consumer Protection |
