Expert Advocacy

CPSC Warns of Dangers Associated with Water-Walking Balls

“Water walking” is a new summer activity that is becoming popular at beaches, amusement parks, and other summer fun spots all over the U.S. During water walking, a person climbs inside a large flexible plastic ball, which is floating on a pool or other body of water, and can walk or ride on the water’s surface without getting wet.

While water walking looks like fun, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that it can also cause serious injuries. The CPSC has received several reports of injuries from water walking-related hazards.

First, the large plastic balls used in water walking are airtight. If a person is inside a ball too long, he or she may use up the oxygen inside it while breathing, creating an increased risk for suffocation.

Next, most balls used in water walking cannot be opened by the person inside the ball if there is an emergency and can only be opened from the outside. Constant close supervision is necessary in order to prevent an accident.

Finally, water walking balls are not padded. If the person inside the ball collides with another person, a pier, a boat, or another obstacle, he or she could be seriously injured in a San Diego watercraft accident. Since the balls are not easy to control, the risk of a collision is high.

Nobody wants a child they care about to be injured during summer fun. When a defective product causes injury, however, an experienced defective product injury lawyer in San Diego can help. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.