Defective Magnetic Building Set Linked to Child's Death
Posted by
Ricky BagolieApril 01, 2006 10:14 PMThe Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a voluntary recall of nearly 4 million "All Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets". These children's toys are manufactured in China for Rose Art Industries Inc., of Livingston, New Jersey and the CPSC advised consumers to stop using the recalled products immediately.
All Magnetix magnetic building sets including the X-treme Combo, Micro, and Extreme sets have been recalled. They contain from 20 to 200 plastic building pieces and from 20 to 100 1/2-inch diameter steel balls. The pieces are red, yellow, blue, and green, and are shaped in 1 1/2-inch squares, 1-inch triangles, and cylinder rods.
There have been 34 incidents involving small magnets, including one death and four serious injuries. According to the CPSC:
"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."
"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."
The recalled products were sold nationwide at such stores as Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys R Us and consumers are strongly advised to stop using the product immediately. For additional information, contact Rose Art