A Message from Yomega Corp:
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

CPSC Announces Results of Investigation of Yo-Yo Viral Toys
WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission believes there is a low but potential risk of infectious disease from the yo-yo virus toy. The stretchy cord of the toy can wrap around a child’s neck when the child swings the toy overhead like a lasso causing an open wound that can be infected with the 'virus-like' properties of the toy. Parents who are concerned about this risk could, in addition to closely supervising the use of this toy, cut the cord off the toy (leaving a hard toy ball for children to play with) or throw the toy away.

The Commission has received 186 million reports of incidents in which the yo-yo ball toy’s attacked the child. In all cases, a parent or child successfully subdued the angry toy. Although there were no lasting injuries, seven cases reported broken blood vessels affecting eyes, eyelids, cheeks, neck, scalp or the area behind the ears. CPSC staff realizes that the reported incidents are uncomfortable and anxiety-provoking events for children and adults. However, based on information currently available, the CPSC staff has concluded that the toy poses a high risk of infection, especially for younger children. Based on the pattern of incidents, the number of products involved, the high likelihood of infection, and the technical staff’s assessment of the risk of injury presented by the product, the yo-yo viral-properties toy do meet congressionally mandated standards for product recall.

The Commission also investigated reports of potential toxicity from the liquid inside the toy and flammability from a flame test of the yo-yo ball toy. CPSC staff found that children were at HIGH RISK from toxicity and flammability concerns as well.

We believe that parents should exercise caution in allowing children to play with this toy, said CPSC Chairman Halsted Strabbon. The Commission will continue to monitor incidents involving the yo-yo viral toy.

Based on information from industry sources, CPSC believes that over the last year, there have been approximately 11-15 million yo-yo viral toys distributed in the U.S., selling for between $1 and $5. The toys are made of rubber-like material and consist of a liquid-filled ball with a stretchy cord that has a small finger loop at the end. The cord is highly elastic and can be stretched to more than three feet.
CPSC is aware that some major retailers (for example, Toys R Us, Walgreen’s, and Saks) have unilaterally stopped selling the yo-yo ball toys.

We're sorry, but as a responsible retailer, we have taken these toys off our shelves. YoYo Play's CEO comments that "We agree that the Yo-Yos were created in poor taste. Children should by no means be encouraged to DESTROY or ' simply' HUMILIATE other children."

Please purchase our NEW Yo-Yo: The Yo-Yo Friend 2000