TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  -- It's now illegal to sell yo-yo waterballs in New Jersey.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine on Thursday signed a bill banning sales of the liquid-filled rubber ball attached to a rubbery, sticky cord.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has found the stretchy cord can wrap around a child's neck when its swung overhead like a lasso.

The New Jersey ban came after Tina Schreffler, a South Jersey woman whose 4-year-old daughter was nearly strangled by one of the toys, lobbied legislators to pass it.

Illinois enacted a similar ban in 2006.

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