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News

Nationwide Alert On Dangerous Yo-Yos

The Borough of Poole’s Environmental & Consumer Protection Services Unit is urging parents to look out for the 'Pump-It-Up Air Yo-Yo', which includes an inch-long needle and syringe used to inflate the toy.

The warning comes following a recent seizure of 30 of the yo-yos by Northamptonshire County Council's trading standards officers after the alarm was raised by the father of an 11-year-old boy who had bought one.

The yo-yos are about the size of a golfball and the needle and syringe are used for inflating them. It is feared that a child could spear themselves with the needle which could be lethal if the syringe is used to inject air into their body.

Andrew Crossen-White, Principal Officer at Environmental & Consumer Protection Services said: "The needle and syringe intended to inflate these yo-yos look horrific and there is a real danger they could injure or even kill a child.  The plastic pump could also be used as a weapon so we are urging parents to be vigilant and if they see these toys being used they should contact our trading standards team or the national Consumer Direct helpline."

The 'Pump It Up Air Yo-Yo', made in China, was found on sale at 'pocket money prices' of between £1 and £1.99 each, in two branches of the same store chain in Northampton.
 
Northamptonshire trading standards officers are making further enquiries with the importer of the toy to find out how many more may now be on sale and where.  In the meantime, a notice has also been issued by trading standards officials to the London-based importers of the product suspending the supply or sale of the yo-yos to any other outlet.

Parents with any concerns on the use of these toys should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or Environmental and Consumer Protection Services on 01202 261700.

Katharine Teed, Communications, Borough of Poole on 01202 633295