Yo-yo injuries

This study was undertaken to describe pediatric yo-yo injuries as published in the English-language medical literature and in a large national database of emergency department visits in the United States.

Two search strategies of public data were used. All available materials from January 1993 through December 2002 including accident investigations, reported incidents, death certificates, and data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System involving yo-yos were requested from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Data were also obtained from a search of the English-language medical literature accessing MEDLINE, a database of more than 11 million citations.

Fourteen cases of injuries sustained during proper yo-yo use were identified. The injuries were sustained by children 5 to 14 years. Eleven (79%) of the subjects were boys. Most injuries involved minor blows to the face and scalp. None of these injuries were serious.

When properly used, yo-yos appear to be relatively safe toys. Training in the proper use of a yo-yo to avoid being struck in the head, face, or eyes may be helpful for school-aged children. Employing a search strategy using data available from the Consumer Product Safety Commission including information provided by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System and electronically accessing MEDLINE appear to yield useful information when questions about the safety of a consumer product arise.