That’s what happened to 21-month-old Kenneth W. “If these magnets come together in your system, they can cause a serious injury.” “They are small but powerful and a true hazard,” she said. Vallese said the problem is not that the product breaks into small parts but that it contains small magnets. While that may very well be true, the agency will continue to investigate to make sure no products in the marketplace pose this same hazard.” Vallese said: “The company has told the CPSC that quality-control changes and enhancements have been made to the products. Zerczy said it is up to parents to buy age-appropriate toys and supervise their children at play. The warning says the toy contains small parts and is not intended for children under 3. “If you look at the package, it very clearly is labeled for children 6 and over, and there is a small parts warning on the package as well.” “We believe these products meet all federal and international safety standards and are safe and fun for kids age 6 and older,” said company spokeswoman Jennifer Zerczy. However, the company said the recall would not affect packages now on store shelves. said it would offer replacement toys suitable for children younger than 6. The voluntary recall affects about 3.8 million packages in homes across the United States. The company that makes the popular Magnetix toy building sets is not pulling the products off store shelves or changing its safety warnings or package labels despite a voluntary recall announced yesterday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.Ĭiting the death of a 21-month-old after he swallowed several magnets that fell out of the toy’s plastic pieces, the CPSC said the product was “unsuitable for young children.” The agency said it knew of 34 incidents involving small magnets, including four serious injuries involving children from 3 to 8 years old. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at CPSC is urging consumers to immediately report any incidents of loose magnets to the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or to the CPSC.Toy Remains in Stores After Child’s Death 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. 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.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.Consumers should stop using the recalled magnetic sets immediately and contact Mega Brands for a comparable replacement toy. “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.These older sets, which were manufactured in China, contain up to 250 plastic building pieces and 1/2-inch diameter steel balls. 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.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.“CPSC is deeply concerned about the dangers that small, powerful magnets can pose to children if swallowed,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. 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. These products are not included in the recall.To date, CPSC and Mega Brands are aware of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. The recall includes all sets, except newer Magnetix sets sold since March 31, 2006, that are age-labeled 6+ and sets that contain the following caution label:“CAUTION: Do not ingest or inhale magnets.Attraction of magnets in the body may cause serious injury and require immediate medical care.”Mega Brands advises that sets currently at retail better retain magnets due to improved quality control, material and design changes. In excess of 4 million units are involved. (“Mega Brands”) (the new owner of Rose Art Industries, Inc.) to announce an expanded recall. Washington, DC - Additional serious injuries to children reported following the Marecall announcement of Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets has prompted the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mega Brands America, Inc.
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