Gov. Blagojevich signs legislation making Illinois first in nation to ban dangerous child toy; provides news resource to parents to keep kids safe
US Fed News
June 8, 2005

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed legislation today making Illinois the first state in the nation to ban a dangerous child toy - "yo-yo waterballs." The toy is a rubber-like ball filled with liquid and is attached to an elastic cord that can wrap around a child's neck when the child swings the toy. The Consumer Product Safety Commission received about 400 reports nationwide of injuries to children from yo-yo waterballs. An Illinois mother pushed for legislation to ban the toy after her son was nearly strangled by a yo-yo waterball.

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 Kids In Danger (KID) is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, dedicated to protecting children by improving product safety. The organization was established in 1998 after Linda Ginzel and Boaz Keysar's 16- month old son died from a recalled portable crib. Danny's death was also the impetus for the original Children's Product Safety Act.

 "We are happy to know that the state is strengthening the Child Product Safety Act and we encourage more people to use this information to save innocent children from harm," said Nancy Cowles, executive director, Kids In Danger. "This is also a good time to remind parents and caregivers to check all the toys and children's products they use. Potentially hazardous products can end up at garage sales or passed down to family and friends, or a product bought new can also end up being recalled."

For a copy of the complete article, contact CJRG.