More than 2.4 million magnetic toys were recalled today and Thursday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission because the magnets can become detached, aspirated or swallowed and cause possible intestinal damage. The CPSC has received multiple reports of the magnets coming loose including one report of a 3-year-old boy receiving medical treatment to remove a magnet from his nasal cavity and one report of an 18-month-old boy with a magnet in his mouth, which was not swallowed.
Today's two large recalls were of MEGA Brands action figures and building sets (right). And on Thursday Battat expanded its January 23rd recall of construction sets by 7,000 from 125,000 units to 132,000. These recalls are sadly reminiscent of the millions of magnetic toys that were recalled last year. Given the ongoing problems with these toys, and the potential for serious injury or death, we continue to recommend that parents avoid all magnetic toys as well as other items containing small magnets if there are young children in the home. Parents should take any magnet toys away from small children and also scout around for any magnets that may have fallen out.
Last year, the CPSC issued a safety alert about the serious dangers magnets pose to children. As the agency pointed out, "small magnets can kill children if two or more are swallowed. If two or more magnets or magnetic components or a magnet and another metal object (such as a small metal ball) are swallowed separately, they can attract one another through intestinal walls. This traps the magnets in place and can cause holes (perforations), twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning (sepsis), and death. When multiple magnets are ingested surgery is required to remove the magnets and sometimes sections of the intestines need to be removed."
One family we know learned all too well about the dangers of the magnetic toy Magnetix, which was recalled last year, when their son was hospitalized after swallowing several magnets. Tegan Leisy of Colorado, then 3, had to undergo emergency surgery to remove six to eight magnets that had become attracted through his intestinal walls causing 11 perforations. His father, Tate Leisy, has chosen to speak out on the subject. "I would hate to see this happen to another parent," he said, adding, " ... it will probably happen again and continue to happen if [toy companies] keep selling this toy or similar versions."
Although there are no federal regulations on magnets, the current voluntary toy safety standard, ASTM F963, requires tests to make sure magnets don’t fall out of toys. Congress is currently working on final legislation to send to the President for signature that would make this voluntary ASTM standard mandatory. With this legislative reform, hazardous magnetic toys could be eliminated from the marketplace. In addition, the current voluntary standard is in the process of being strengthened so that, if approved, it will result in the elimination of toys with components containing magnets that are small enough to fit into a small-parts test cylinder. The cylinders are available where childproofing products are sold.
Here are the details of the recent recalls:
MEGA Brands MagnaMan magnetic action figures
How many: 1.3 million
Incidents: MEGA Brands and CPSC have received 25 reports of magnets coming loose from the figures.
Description: The recalled MagnaMan magnetic toys are figures that have body parts that attach with magnets. They come in either a “Futuristic Warrior” or “Ancient Warrior” theme. Each figure comes with three accessories.
Sold at: Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, K-Mart and other toy stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2007 for about $10.
Remedy: Consumers should return the toys to MEGA Brands for a free replacement toy. For additional information, contact MEGA Brands at (800) 779-7122 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.megabrands.com.
MEGA Brands Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-school magnetic toys
How many: 1.1 million
Incidents: MEGA Brands and CPSC have received 19 reports of magnets coming loose, including one report of a 3-year-old boy receiving medical treatment to remove a magnet from his nasal cavity and one report of an 18-month-old boy with a magnet in his mouth, which was not swallowed.
Description: The Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-school magnetic toys include small flexible parts embedded with magnets that allow the parts to connect to large, colored metal balls. (Top right)
Sold at: Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, K-Mart and other toy stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2007 for between $10 and $40.
Remedy: Same as above.
Battat Magnabild magnetic building toys or sets
How many: 7,000 (125,000 other Battat Magnabild building systems were recalled on January 23)
Incidents: CPSC and Battat have received 16 reports of magnets coming out of the building pieces.
Description: This recall involves the 108-piece (item number BB1439H) and the 68-piece (item number BAT-34) Magnabild Magnetic building system sets. The 108-piece set comes in a rotating display case containing 60 1-inch rods with magnets and 48 metal balls. The 68-piece set comes in a window box and contains 44 1-inch rods with magnets and 24 metal balls. The rods come in different colors. All of the plastic building pieces have the word “Magnabild” in raised lettering on them. “BB1439H” is found on a hang tag attached to the display case. “BAT-34” is found on the box.
Sold at: Various retailers nationwide and online sellers from July 2005 through February 2008 for between $20 and $35.
Remedy: Consumers should contact Battat to receive a pre-paid mailer to return the toy and to receive a free replacement product. Contact Battat Inc. at (800) 247-6144 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET or visit the firm’s Web site at www.battatco.com.