Kids' flaming footbag toy banned
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23883046-5006787,00.html

June 18, 2008

A BALL designed to be set on fire and then kicked around has been banned.

South Australian Consumer Affairs Minister Jennifer Rankine said the Fire Footbag was made from fire resistant material and was meant to be soaked in flammable liquid and ignited.

"The Fire Footbag essentially becomes a flaming missile which presents extreme safety risks for people who could quite easily be burned by the footbag once it's been set alight," Ms Rankine said.

"Making such a dangerous item available to children or anyone else is absurd and unacceptable."

The Fire Footbag has already been identified by the Federal Government as a dangerous toy.

One incident had been reported in Western Australia in which a teenage boy suffered burns to his hands while trying to use it.

Ms Rankine said that while there had been no reports of injuries in South Australia, the Government had decided to act.

"The Fire Footbag clearly presents significant health and safety risks," she said.