Jul 06 2007
Dangers of Magnetic Toy Sets
When I shopped around for toys for my children, I always come across box sets of magnetic toys in supermarkets and toy shops. They look really interesting, very appealing to kids.
Thank God that I never bring my children when I shop for their toys. I don’t have to negotiate with them for this kind of toys.
I have been reading a lot about the kind of hazards this kind of toy can bring to kids.
Usually this kind of magnetic toys have small magnets inside the plastic casings, that allow the sticks to pick up steel balls. See pic below for illustration (from CPSC recent recall).
The problem with this kind of magnetic toys is that, the small magnets can fall out. When found by young children, loose magnets can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract each other to form larger blocks. This can cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.
Most recent recall from CPSC reported that, CPSC has received one report of an eight-year-old girl who was hospitalized after swallowing loose magnets. Extensive surgery was required to remove the magnets and repair intestinal perforations.
So, I urge you against buying any similar products. If you have it, please take away from your beloved children!
I thought of buy that when I saw it too. and my mother warning me the same like what you post about. Luckily I didn’t bought it at that time, else, I will be busy keep track on Kiki coz worry she will accidentally pick up the fall magnetic ball and swallow! Thanks god.
msau: Luckily you didn’t buy ya! I think it is important to subscribe to the CPSC recall notices, to learn more about potential hazards around. Luckily your mom so clever, know so much to warn you!
thks for the info. normally when i buy toys .. i think and examine it carefully. really particular mommy.
the news bout an 8-yr old girl swallowing stuffs … normally kids so big dun put things in the mouth anymore wat. aiyoooooo.
twin: Most of us thought children above 3 y.o. should know well not to put things in their mouth, right? But then, from a lot of the incidents reported, older children are also at risk like this! The only difference is, they don’t get suffocated like the younger ones. They ingested them completely. With other things it could be okay (maybe passage bigger?!), but with this magnetic thingy, it is very dangerous ler…