Summer is on the way to Cincinnati and warmer weather means more families will be enjoying activities on, in or near the water. While most of us are familiar with traditional activities like boating and swimming, there is a new option available: walking on water.

With the aid of "water walking balls," people are now able to walk or roll around on top of water. Water walking balls are essentially large inflatable plastic spheres that can fit a person inside. They can be found at water parks, resorts and some private residences. However, there are serious safety concerns involved with water walking balls and product safety watchdogs are warning that they may be dangerous products.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the government agency devoted to the safety of products we buy, is asking that people stop using water walking balls immediately. The CPSC's chief concerns with these products involve suffocation, drowning, and falling.

A water walking ball is inflated with a hose through a zipper opening. It is estimated that a fully inflated water walking ball only has about five to seven minutes of breathable oxygen in it. If a person stays in a water walking ball too long, they could suffocate. Additionally, water walking balls can only be opened from the outside and there is no emergency exit. If a ball becomes punctured, there is a very real threat of drowning. The CPSC is also concerned with a lack of padding in water walking balls. When the balls are used in above-ground pools, a person could fall off the edge of the pool and suffer injuries.

The CPSC reports that there have been at least two accidents involving water walking balls. One incident involved injuries to a child. The 5-year-old child was found unresponsive inside of a water walking ball after only a short period inside. A second incident involved a person suffering a broken bone after the ball fell from an above-ground pool onto the ground below.

At least one water park owner who has used water walking balls in the past has stated he will stop using them until there are safety regulations and guidelines established.

Source: ABC News, "Want to Walk on Water? Think Again Before Getting in a 'Water Ball'," Mark Reeves, 4/1/2011