Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets Recalled Due to Swallowing and Death Risk

Plain-English summary

Rose Art Industries Inc. is recalling all Magnetix magnetic building sets, including the X-treme Combo, Micro, and Extreme sets. The sets contain 20 to 200 plastic building pieces and 20 to 100 1/2-inch diameter steel balls. The recall involves approximately 3.8 million units sold nationwide from September 2003 through March 2006 at retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys R Us for between $20 and $60.

The recall was initiated after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) became aware of 34 incidents involving small magnets, including one death and four serious injuries. A 20-month-old boy died after swallowing magnets that twisted his small intestine and created a blockage. Three other children, ages 3 to 8, suffered intestinal perforations requiring surgery and hospitalization, and a 5-year-old aspirated two magnets that were surgically removed from his lung. The hazard exists because if more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage.

Consumers should stop using the magnetic sets immediately and keep all small magnet parts out of the hands of children who mouth objects, especially those under the age of three. Consumers can return the sets to Rose Art for a free replacement product suitable for young children under the age of 6. For more information, contact Rose Art at (800) 779-7122 or visit www.roseart.com.

The recalled product

Product

All Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets

Manufacturer

Rose Art Industries Inc., of Livingston, N.J.

Category

Consumer Product — Toys

Hazard

• swallowing
• choking
• intestinal-perforation

Distribution

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