The walking water ball operation in the food court at Coastal Grand Mall
MYRTLE BEACH -- A government agency says walking on water is supposed to be fun, but it could be deadly.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a consumer alert warning about what it says are the potential risks of suffocation or drowning in a new recreational activity known as water walking balls. The CPSC says it knows of no safe way to use them.
The water walking balls are large, clear plastic balls that allow a person to climb inside and walk across water, ice or grass.
You may have seen them at Coastal Grand Mall or Broadway at the Beach.
The CPSC warning says the balls have no emergency exit and can be opened only by a person outside, heightening the risk of injury or death when a person inside feels distress.
The agency is concerned that, because the ball is airtight, oxygen can be quickly depleted inside it and carbon dioxide can accumulate.
The CPSC says it knows of at least two children who have been hurt using the water balls, neither of them in the Grand Strand area.
One child in Massachusetts was found unresponsive after being inside a ball for a short time and required CPR.
Another child suffered a fracture after the ball fell out of a shallow pool.
The CPSC said several states have banned or refused to provide permits for rides that use the water walking balls. The agency is urging state amusement ride officials not to permit the water balls in their states.
NewsChannel 15 found two companies, Grand Strand Amusements and Water Walking Ball, advertising the water balls in the Myrtle Beach area.
We tried to reach the owner of the Water Walking Ball, but were unsuccessful.
According to the web site for the Water Walking Ball, its Broadway at the Beach locations have closed, the web site says, "Because of new US safety standards regarding of Water Walking Balls, we can not operate our business at this time."
Grand Strand Amusements is still operating at Coastal Grand Mall. Owner Mike Green told NewsChannel 15, "Because of new US safety standards regarding of Water Walking Balls, we can not operate our business at this time."
"We've never had anything but total elation from kids or adults" who have used the water walking balls, Green said.
If a child was left inside the ball for an hour, there might be a problem, Green said, but his employees never allow anyone to stay inside for more than a few minutes at a time.
"We're extremely responsible about it."
Green says the water balls aren't as dangerous as other amusements, like bungee jumping or roller coasters.
"As long as we keep it in a controlled environment, it's super safe," he said.
Spokesperson Tammy Hopkins from Coastal Grand Mall owner CBL and Associates gave NewsChannel 15 this statement:
"One of the top priorities at Coastal Grand Mall is the safety and well being of our customers, retail partners and employees. It is the expectation from mall management that all retailers comply with federal, state and local business regulations."
The CPSC is asking consumers to contact the agency with any incident or injury reports related to the water walking balls
