The government is warning people to stay out of those giant see-through inflatable spheres known as "water walking balls" because of the risk of suffocation or drowning.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday that it "does not know of any safe way to use" the products, which are popular at amusement parks, resorts, malls and carnivals. They resemble hamster balls but are large enough for humans.
People climb into the plastic, airtight balls and then roll around - or try to walk - on water in pools, lakes or rivers.
"We want to tell the public how dangerous these products are before someone is killed," said Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the commission. "Our investigation into water walking balls will not stop with today's warning."
The agency is worried about too little oxygen in the balls as well as the buildup of carbon dioxide.
Another concern: the fact that the product has no emergency exit and can be opened only by a person outside of the ball - a serious problem if a person inside the ball experiences distress.
Photo and story credit to Associated Press.
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