At that point, regulators became just another voice in a debate controlled by the toymakers themselves. The federal government's influence was even weaker during the next step, when new manufacturing standards were written in an attempt to ensure that such toys couldn't harm children. The resulting voluntary recall was so confusing that consumers had no way of knowing whether they were buying a dangerous toy. It did what the law requires: The commission first accommodated the toy's maker, negotiating the wording of the news release meant to warn parents.
The commission did not sweep Magnetix off store shelves. What followed was neither decisive nor swift, but an illustration of how weakly most children's products are regulated in America. "I thought it was a defective product," Midgett said, "and should be recalled." In the weeks after Kenny's death, the alarm was finally sounding inside the agency's ranks. Parents and caregivers had warned the government of that very danger, but the safety commission failed to act. They connected inside Kenny's intestines, strangling his bowels. died on Thanksgiving Day 2005 after swallowing loose magnets from his older brother's broken Magnetix toys. He could see that it wouldn't take much for the tiny magnets to break loose, the way they had several weeks earlier in the suburban Seattle home of the Sweet family. To a child, the magnets behave like they're alive. He quickly understood why the toy was so popular. Consumer Product Safety Commission says he could feel the powerful attraction and repulsion of the embedded magnets. Remembering that day, the self-described "toy scientist" at the U.S. Midgett connected and disconnected them as a child would. For more information call Mega Brands at (800) 779-7122.Inside a gray government cubicle littered with colorful construction toys, Jonathan Midgett played with pieces from a Magnetix set, one of the year's hottest sellers. Magnetix sets are sold by toy and arts and craft stores nationwide.Ĭonsumers should contact Mega Brands for replacement toys. Attraction of magnets in the body may cause serious injury and require immediate medical care.” The newer sets supposedly have better material and design according to the company. The recall includes all sets except Magnetix sets dated March 31, 2006, that are age labeled “6+” and also contain the statement “CAUTION: Do not ingest or inhale magnets. The hazard was initially thought to be a problem only for children younger than 6 but the reports show that at least 10 injuries involved children between the ages of 6 and 11. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection, or blockage which can be fatal. The commission received reports of at least 1500 incidents in which the magnets separated from the toy. The Product Safety Commission and Mega Brands know of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. Mega Brands Inc., the company which manufactures the toy sets, recalled 3.8 million of the magnetic building sets in March 2006 after a child died and 4 others were seriously injured after swallowing the magnets. The Associated Press reported that a total of 7.8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets have been recalled after children swallowed small magnets contained in the sets and were seriously injured.
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