CPSC: Walking Water Balls Aren’t Safe

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Image Not Available

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) doesn’t want you to walk on water.

Known as “walking water balls,” this relatively new recreational activity involves getting into a large, see-through plastic ball, which is then inflated with a blower through a zipper opening. Once inflated, the zipper is closed, making the ball airtight. Then the inhabitant can roll around on water, ice, or grass. They’re often found at amusement parks and carnivals, although they’re also sold direct to consumers.

At least one problem with these things should be obvious: They’re airtight, which means they could result in suffocation. And they can’t be opened from inside. From the CPSC’s press release:

The fact that the product has no emergency exit and can be opened only by a person outside of the ball significantly heightens the risk of injury or death when a person inside the ball experiences distress. Pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart, lung, or breathing issues, can be made worse by use of this product.

CPSC is aware of two incidents involving this product. In one incident, a child was found unresponsive after being inside the ball for a very brief period of time, and emergency medical treatment was sought. In the second incident, a person inside of a ball suffered a fracture when the ball fell out of the shallow, above-ground pool onto the hard ground.

Proof that while Uncle Sam is OK with you having fun, he often stops short of encouraging you to have a ball.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.