Mega Brands Recalls Magnetic Toys Due to Risk to Children
On March 31, 2006 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Division issued a recall of a children's toy known as Magnetix Magnetic Building sets manufactured by Mega Brands America, Inc. In excess of 4 million sets are involved. The complete press release regarding the expansion of this recall is posted below.
Dangers of Magnetic Toys
Additionally, in the recent past, the CPSC has conducted five recalls with more than eight million products containing magnets that could come loose and fall out of the product. These types of products cause significant risk to young children. If two or more magnets are swallowed, they can attract to one another through intestinal walls. When this happens, the magnets can become trapped in the body and require immediate medical treatment, as well as cause significant personal injury.
Preserve your Legal Rights
If you or a loved one has been an unfortunate victim to this type of injury, you have legal rights which you need to be aware of. To discuss these issues with a qualified products liability attorney, please fill out the submission box above to have your complaint reviewed by a products liability attorney, or contact our law offices for a no cost consultation.
Consumer Product Safety Commission Recall Press Release:
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 19, 2007
Release #07-164
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 779-7122
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Magnetix Magnetic Building Set Recall Expanded Serious Injuries Continue to be Reported to CPSC
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Additional serious injuries to children reported following the March 31, 2006 recall announcement of Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets have prompted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Mega Brands America, Inc. ("Mega Brands") (the new owner of Rose Art Industries, Inc.) to announce an expanded recall. In excess of 4 million units are involved. 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. 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. Emergency surgical intervention was needed in all but one case. At least 1,500 incidents of magnets separating from the building pieces have been reported. 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. "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. 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. 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. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at http://www.megabrands.com/ .
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 www.cpsc.gov
