MAGNETIX TOYS RECALLED!!!!

[heymissymum]

I personally don't have these for my daughter - prefer wooden toys myself. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission have re-called MAGNETIX toys by the company Rose Art \link{http://www.news10.net/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=16769\news 10 abcnet article}

This came to my attention through a blog I read, Hsien Hsien Lei's Play Library www.playlibrary.com/2006/03/31/magnetix-toy-recall/#comments and I've listed it on my own blog here www.reallifecalling.blogspot.com/

The US Product Safety Commission have recalled the product because:

"Hazard: Tiny magnets inside the plastic building pieces and rods can fall out. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract to each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal. This product is unsuitable for young children.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of 34 incidents involving small magnets, including one death and four serious injuries. A 20-month-old boy died after he swallowed magnets that twisted his small intestine and created a blockage. Three children ages ranging from 3 to 8 had intestinal perforations that required surgery and hospitalization in intensive care. A 5-year-old child aspirated two magnets that were surgically removed from his lung

Please be warned and take action

Proper links this time -

\link{http://www.cpsc.gov/\US Consumer Product Safety Commission}

\link{http://www.playlibrary.com/2006/03/31/magnetix-toy-recall/#comments\Hsien Hsien Lei's Play Library}

\link{http://www.reallifecalling.blogspot.com/\Real Life Calling}

I would imagine that it would still be a safety concern - I'd imagine all the Magnetix units were manufactured in the same factory (China). 3.8 MILLION units in the recall - bet that's going to hit them hard.

What I'd like to know is if Geomag is supposed to be better made or if they're likely to have similar issues with the magnets falling out. Always worries me when ds1 plays with it anyway and make him count the pieces back in when he's done playing.

I didn't read your post properly and have checked all through that last list and saw its not listed, then I read your post!

DS has the castle one shown on one of your links (Espanol), he is almost 4 so I think he is passed the stage of putting things in his mouth but I'd hate to take the chance.
I think I'd better gather it all up and only play it together. He was going to get some more for his birthday but I think I'll stick with Lego for now.

I was always more worried about the marbles rather than the magnets, it never occured to me that they could fall out.

Kid - go for the Lego or try wooden Brio (my faves)

GeorginaA and Hausfrau - I couldn't find any UK references for this either - tried BBC online and DTI but thought it was worth posting just to draw attention to the recall!!

Plea to everyone to supervise play and count back the pieces and be real careful if under six kiddies are around.

My two are 6 and 9, and long past putting things in their mouths.l I'll keep ours I think.

These ones are sold locally to us - but my SIL has sent 2 packets of the geomag (which I think is more expensive = better made?).

The actual magnet bit falling out is a worry - I count the plastic bits in and out of the box, and watch ds like a hawk while he plays with them, but if a bit fell out of the bit I was counting, well I wouldn't see that.

Threebob - It's troublesome I agree, but you are doing the right thing keeping a watchful eye. Many things like these present problems. Like Kid I was more worried about the balls and dd possibly swallowing those so steered clear for that reason.

Right now they are at the back of his wardrobe, high up. I think they'll stay there for a good while. They are such a pain because they can't go near a TV or phone or - well anything really.

I'm looking at Geomag and Magnetix rods together at the moment. The Magnetix ones are thicker meaning the magnest inside are bigger than Geomag. Hoever, the plastic outer shell doesn't seem to have as much overlap ont he ends as the Geomag does. In fact, I'm not sure it has an overlap at all which may be where the problem lies.

I can't see how the magnets fallout of either of them to be honest but the Geomag does look to be bette sealed.

Part of me does think that the box clearly states 6+ so smaller children shouldn't be playing with this anyway. It doesn't mean it shouldn't have been more securely manufactured thoguh.

I assumed the rods were one long magnet rather than several small ones. Maybe Geomag is one long magnet and therefore nomeed to be recalled.

Hmm... our box of Geomag says 3+ not 6+.

(which is a relief actually, because I'd have been shocked at myself for me buying ds1 a 6+ toy for Christmas!)

My 9 yrold son has one that's come loose, it's a magnetix flexible one, I think it's come out due to the bending, but it's preety new and surely they're meant to be bent.

The Magnetix one in the picture on the "US Consumer Product Safety Commission" link says 6. Can't find any of our boxes.

Geomag from 3 though?? I'm surprised at that. (although DS2 had some from just under 4 but he's a Subsequent Child)

The ordinary magnetix doesn't bend at all so I'm guessing the stuff your son has is meant to bend.

Having looked at that US site, it looks like the problem pieces aren't the rods but magnetic panels? Geomag doesn't have these. The Geomag panels aren't magnetic.

I was surprised at that too - especially as I've just looked at the toys r us site (where we bought it before christmas) and it now says 6+! \link{http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Product.aspx/TruHome/TRUSpecialOffersSale/TruSpecialOffersSaleSpring2006Preschool/030309?ref=Search\that's our set}

(only ours has 96 pieces - it's the same stuff, colour etc though)

\link{http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Product.aspx/TruOrFindUsing/TruAZOfBrands/TruFindUsingGeomag/082147\this is ours}

I'm actually rather cross now, as it looks like ToysRUs have changed their advice. I definitely wouldn't have bought it for ds1 yet if I thought it was a 6+ toy.

Ignore me, I'm talking bollocks.

There's a teeny tiny symbol at the top of the box which says 6>99 (which presumably means suitable from age 6 to age 99). There is however a HUGE sticker on the bottom left which says "WARNING: choking hazard, not suitable for under 3 years" which is where I got the 3+ from.

BUMP (because i think everyone should see this!!)

My first reaction was that of; "well it's like a lot of toys, you have to be careful with little ones around"
but after reading it more,they can cause a lot more damage,as they do not just pass through like a lot of small bits. v.scary.
will check all of my ds1's magnetix and put it out of reach !!

Thanks footiemad

For UK customers, if a replacement product becomes available in stores you may want to look into getting a free exchange. Trading Standards may be able to help and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommend the following so you could contact company direct:

"Remedy: Consumers should stop using the magnetic sets and return the sets to Rose Art for a free replacement product suitable for young children under the age of 6. Consumers should be sure to keep all small magnet parts out of the hands of children who mouth objects, especially children under the age of three.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rose Art at (800) 779-7122 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Rose Art’s Web site at www.roseart.com"

bump again