Forums > Social Discussion > Small childen and magnets- a cautionary note
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
There's currently several childrens toys with small, but very powerful magnets in.
Last year I had a go with my nephews 'Magnetix' set, which is basically brightly coloured plastic rods with a powerful magnet at each end.
I was very impressed with it and, a couple of weeks ago got talking to my other brother who's got a much younger daughter who also has a set.
I did some internet searching to find the best value supplier of the sets and, along the way, came upon this-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetix
This page gives brief details of a couple of kids who died as a result of swallowing more than one powerful magnet.
These had come loose from magnetix pieces- but the same thing could happen with any small magnets.
I believe that a single magnet swallowed is no more hazardous than any other small object.
Where swallowing more than one small magnet is concerned however, the situation is very much more serious.
This is because powerful magnets (like those in Magnetix sets) can attract each other through folds in bowel tissue or through intestinal walls- they then stay attached and can cause the trapped tissue to necrotise, leading to perforation and, without prompt medical intervention- death.
I've looked at lots of links on this, most are linked to from the page above.
Several children (mainly in America) have died from this and several more have been seriously ill.
I passed on the info to my brother, who was very grateful and I thought I'd put something on HOP as i know there are many parents here.
Another thing to be aware of is, that in homes with a range of ages, it's important for the older children, who won't swallow stuff, to ensure that after using these toys, that magnets haven't come loose and been left on the carpet where younger children can get them.
Please pass on the info to others.
There's currently several childrens toys with small, but very powerful magnets in.
Last year I had a go with my nephews 'Magnetix' set, which is basically brightly coloured plastic rods with a powerful magnet at each end.
I was very impressed with it and, a couple of weeks ago got talking to my other brother who's got a much younger daughter who also has a set.
I did some internet searching to find the best value supplier of the sets and, along the way, came upon this-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetix
This page gives brief details of a couple of kids who died as a result of swallowing more than one powerful magnet.
These had come loose from magnetix pieces- but the same thing could happen with any small magnets.
I believe that a single magnet swallowed is no more hazardous than any other small object.
Where swallowing more than one small magnet is concerned however, the situation is very much more serious.
This is because powerful magnets (like those in Magnetix sets) can attract each other through folds in bowel tissue or through intestinal walls- they then stay attached and can cause the trapped tissue to necrotise, leading to perforation and, without prompt medical intervention- death.
I've looked at lots of links on this, most are linked to from the page above.
Several children (mainly in America) have died from this and several more have been seriously ill.
I passed on the info to my brother, who was very grateful and I thought I'd put something on HOP as i know there are many parents here.
Another thing to be aware of is, that in homes with a range of ages, it's important for the older children, who won't swallow stuff, to ensure that after using these toys, that magnets haven't come loose and been left on the carpet where younger children can get them.
Please pass on the info to others.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
BRONZE Member
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
the henna lady
6,193 posts
Location: WNY, USA
Posted:
And one more goes down as...don't beware of the toy, be aware as a parent.
Thanks OWD
And one more goes down as...don't beware of the toy, be aware as a parent.
Thanks OWD
Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
Thanks OWD - forwarded it to my firends who have 2 little ones.
Thanks OWD - forwarded it to my firends who have 2 little ones.
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
BRONZE Member
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Insert Champagne Here
13,215 posts
Location: without class distinction, Australia
Posted:
But shouldn't parents not be buying things like magnetix for kids who are still putting things in their mouth?
But shouldn't parents not be buying things like magnetix for kids who are still putting things in their mouth?
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
SILVER Member
there's no charge for awesomeness... or attractiveness
3,764 posts
Location: limbo, Australia
there's no charge for awesomeness... or attractiveness
3,764 posts
Location: limbo, Australia
Posted:
wow!! my kids have heaps of magnetix... and they are great fun to play with (for me as well as them
)
but I am *forever* telling lachie to get them out of his mouth... he chews on the damn things... scary when you think about it like this...
wow!! my kids have heaps of magnetix... and they are great fun to play with (for me as well as them
)but I am *forever* telling lachie to get them out of his mouth... he chews on the damn things... scary when you think about it like this...
--pogo (pat) [forever and always]
Good Ol' Yarn For Hair
422 posts
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
422 posts
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Posted:
It is said, for children under the age of three, or are prone to attempting to place things in their mouths at ANY age, that they should not be given any toy which can fit into and/or through the cardboard tube of from toilet paper or paper towels. This is the tube-test or the choke-test. Anything which can pass through the tube fails the test and is considered a potential choking hazard. At least, this is what I have always been taught for children, cats, and small dogs.
Wholeheartedly, I agree with Pele to be aware as a parent.
This, Magnetix is a prime example of this. I worked in toy/hobby retail when Magnetix first came out and, being family owned, had the ability to not only see them up close but to play with them (great fun!!!) Magnetix are small and most certainly can fit through such a tube.
*sigh* Parents really need to better check the toys for their children.
I understand the worry and the concern, and I really feel for the family of a child who may have gotten sick attempting to injest toys such as Magnetix. However, the simple fact of the matter is that these are not appropriate toys for any child who might attempt to place them in their mouth.
It is said, for children under the age of three, or are prone to attempting to place things in their mouths at ANY age, that they should not be given any toy which can fit into and/or through the cardboard tube of from toilet paper or paper towels. This is the tube-test or the choke-test. Anything which can pass through the tube fails the test and is considered a potential choking hazard. At least, this is what I have always been taught for children, cats, and small dogs.
Wholeheartedly, I agree with Pele to be aware as a parent.
This, Magnetix is a prime example of this. I worked in toy/hobby retail when Magnetix first came out and, being family owned, had the ability to not only see them up close but to play with them (great fun!!!) Magnetix are small and most certainly can fit through such a tube.
*sigh* Parents really need to better check the toys for their children.
I understand the worry and the concern, and I really feel for the family of a child who may have gotten sick attempting to injest toys such as Magnetix. However, the simple fact of the matter is that these are not appropriate toys for any child who might attempt to place them in their mouth.
"So long and thanks for all the fish."
SILVER Member
there's no charge for awesomeness... or attractiveness
3,764 posts
Location: limbo, Australia
there's no charge for awesomeness... or attractiveness
3,764 posts
Location: limbo, Australia
Posted:
the problem with all of this is... that kids... are kids... and they chew on stuff into adolescence AND BEYOND... lachie (my chewer above) is 9... can I prevent a 9yo from having access to any and everything that can\'t pass thru a tube? answer is, HELL NO...
yes, the only answer we have is still parental responsibility and hopefully some common sense... encourage appropriate behaviour (building cool stuff with WAY cool toys like magnetix) and discourage inappropriate behaviour (chewing on afforementioned toys and worse, swallowing them).
and if, as a parent you are truly worried about the potential hazards of a toy and do not wish for them to miss out on the (IMHO considerable) developmental benefits of those toys, then get down on the floor and do it with them!
the problem with all of this is... that kids... are kids... and they chew on stuff into adolescence AND BEYOND... lachie (my chewer above) is 9... can I prevent a 9yo from having access to any and everything that can\'t pass thru a tube? answer is, HELL NO...
yes, the only answer we have is still parental responsibility and hopefully some common sense... encourage appropriate behaviour (building cool stuff with WAY cool toys like magnetix) and discourage inappropriate behaviour (chewing on afforementioned toys and worse, swallowing them).
and if, as a parent you are truly worried about the potential hazards of a toy and do not wish for them to miss out on the (IMHO considerable) developmental benefits of those toys, then get down on the floor and do it with them!
--pogo (pat) [forever and always]
© 1998 - 2024 Home of Poi
All prices converted to United States dollars using XE.com