Polly Pocket Recall

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reported Toy Company Mattel was recalling 4.4 million Polly Pocket magnetic play sets after multiple children were seriously injured by swallowing the tiny magnets that come off the toy. The full CPSC recall is posted below.  Due to a product defect, the tiny magnets can detach from the various parts of the toy, and small children can potentially swallow them. If a child swallows or inhales more than one magnet, the two can attract to each other and potentially cause blockage, perforation, or infection.

Video News Reports

Good Morning America has recently aired a segment on the dangers associated with the Polly Pocket product.  Additionally, the CPSC has assembled an informational video depicting what the recall of these toys is about.

Free product liability case evaluation

If a member of your family has become and unfortunate victim of the dangers associated with these toys, we encourage you to contact our law firm for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.  Please contact us by submitting your case for review in the submission box above, or by contacting us at 877-494-9949.

Serious Injuries Prompt Recall of Mattel’s Polly Pocket Magnetic Play Sets

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Products: Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets

Units: About 2.4 million play sets (an additional 2 million play sets were sold worldwide)

Importer: Mattel Inc., of El Segundo, Calif.

Hazard: Tiny magnets inside the dolls and accessories can fall out undetected by parents and caregivers. The magnets can be swallowed, aspirated by young children or placed by a child in their nose or ears. When more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal. Aspiration to the lungs requires immediate surgery. Magnets placed in the nose or ears can cause swelling and be difficult to remove.

Incidents/Injuries: CPSC is aware of 170 reports of the small magnets coming out of these recalled toys. There were three reports of serious injuries to children who swallowed more than one magnet. All three suffered intestinal perforations that required surgery. A 2-year-old child was hospitalized for seven days and a 7-year-old child was hospitalized for 12 days. An 8-year-old child was also hospitalized.

Description: The recalled Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets. The magnets measure 1/8 inch in diameter and are imbedded in the hands and feet of some dolls, and in the plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories to help the pieces attach to the doll or to the doll’s house. The model number is printed on the bottom of the largest pieces on some of the play sets. Contact Mattel if you cannot find a model number on your product to determine if it is part of the recall. Polly Pocket magnetic play sets currently on store shelves are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Discount department stores and toy stores from May 2003 through September 2006 for between $15 and $30.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel to arrange for the return of the sets and to receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the customer’s choice, up to the value of the returned product.