![]() ![]() The resulting voluntary recall was so confusing that consumers had no way of knowing whether they were buying a dangerous toy. It did what the law requires: The commission first accommodated the toy's maker, negotiating the wording of the news release meant to warn parents. The commission did not sweep Magnetix off store shelves. What followed was neither decisive nor swift, but an illustration of how weakly most children's products are regulated in America. ![]() "I thought it was a defective product," Midgett said, "and should be recalled." In the weeks after Kenny's death, the alarm was finally sounding inside the agency's ranks. Parents and caregivers had warned the government of that very danger, but the safety commission failed to act. They connected inside Kenny's intestines, strangling his bowels. died on Thanksgiving Day 2005 after swallowing loose magnets from his older brother's broken Magnetix toys. He could see that it wouldn't take much for the tiny magnets to break loose, the way they had several weeks earlier in the suburban Seattle home of the Sweet family. To a child, the magnets behave like they're alive. He quickly understood why the toy was so popular. Consumer Product Safety Commission says he could feel the powerful attraction and repulsion of the embedded magnets. Remembering that day, the self-described "toy scientist" at the U.S. Midgett connected and disconnected them as a child would. ![]() ![]() ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at The CPSC is urging consumers to immediately report any incidents of loose magnets to the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or to the CPSC Web site at a gray government cubicle littered with colorful construction toys, Jonathan Midgett played with pieces from a Magnetix set, one of the year's hottest sellers. If consumers are uncertain as to whether their product is being recalled, they can contact Mega Brands at (800) 779-7122 between 8 a.m. Mass merchants and other toy and arts and crafts stores sold the sets nationwide for between $20 and $60, depending on the size of the set.Ĭonsumers should stop using the recalled magnetic sets immediately and contact Mega Brands for a comparable replacement toy. The building pieces include 1 1/2-inch squares, 1-inch triangles, cylinder rods, flexors, connectors, x-tenders, and curves and come in an assortment of colors such as metallic, primary, translucent, and glow in the dark. These older sets, which were manufactured in China, contain up to 250 plastic building pieces and 1/2-inch diameter steel balls. "In order for any product recall to be effective in protecting consumers, we must significantly reduce incidents and injuries from occurring after the recall is announced." Mega Brands has been cooperative in this expanded recall. "CPSC is deeply concerned about the dangers that small, powerful magnets can pose to children if swallowed," said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. If a child swallows more than one tiny powerful magnet detached from the plastic building pieces or one such magnet and a metallic object, the objects can attract to each other inside the intestines and cause perforations and/or blockage, which can be fatal, if not treated immediately. Although the hazard was initially thought to be a problem primarily for children younger than six, it has since been learned that at least ten injuries involved children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old. At least 1,500 incidents of magnets separating from the building pieces have been reported. Emergency surgical intervention was needed in all but one case. To date, CPSC and Mega Brands are aware of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. These products are not included in the recall. Mega Brands advises that sets currently at retail better retain magnets due to improved quality control, material and design changes. Serious injury and require immediate medical care." "CAUTION: Do not ingest or inhale magnets.Īttraction of magnets in the body may cause ![]()
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