Belfast City Council today voiced concern that a potentially deadly ‘toy’ is still being sold in local shops – more than a year after it was banned.

The sale of elastic jelly-style ‘Yo Yo Balls’ was banned by the Department for Trade and Industry in April 2003, after a number of incidents in which children were nearly strangled by the ‘toys’.

There were a number of reported incidents where the cord had become wrapped around the necks of children and only prompt action had prevented a tragic death.

However, more than a year later, Belfast City Council has received reports that these ‘toys’ have been found on sale in the city, some as recently as within the last few days.

Belfast City Council Environmental Health Officer, Gillian McEvoy said: “Given the number of frightening incidents that led to these items being banned from sale, and the fact that they genuinely pose a significant risk, particularly to smaller children, we would appeal to parents not to buy them or allow their children to play with them, and also to shops to stop breaking the law by continuing to sell them."

Environmental health officials have visited a number of shops and the ‘toys’ have been removed from sale.

However, Council officials have warned that they will take formal action against shops continuing to sale ‘Yo Yo Balls’ in breach of the ban, and have appealed to people seeing them on sale to notify the Council’s Environmental Health Service on 028 9027 0428.

(MB)