The Quick Answer

  • The CPSC has issued sweeping warnings and recalls regarding small, high-powered neodymium magnet sets. If a toddler swallows two separate magnets, those magnets will aggressively attract to one another across different loops of the intestine, clamping the tissue between them. This causes catastrophic bowel perforations, tissue death, and sepsis. All "loose" rare-earth magnet toys must be completely eradicated from homes with small children.
Editor's NoteThis is a severe, life-or-death pediatric safety alert based on catastrophic ER data.

The Anatomy of a Magnet Ingestion

These magnets are 10 to 50 times stronger than standard refrigerator magnets. Parents mistakenly assume a swallowed magnet will just "pass through" like a penny.

But if a child swallows one magnet on Monday, and another on Tuesday, they travel through the twisting maze of the intestines at different speeds. When the two magnets get close to each other, their immense strength pulls them together, ripping right through the intestinal walls to connect. This is a life-threatening surgical emergency.

Section Summary

  • Swallowing multiple magnets causes them to clamp the intestines together.
  • Bowel perforations are frequently fatal if not caught immediately.

The Bottom Line

  • Audit your older children's toys and any "desk toys" belonging to adults. Magna-Tiles are generally safe because the magnets are severely encapsulated in massive plastic tiles, but tiny Buckyballs or loose magnetic beads are lethal.

What We Recommend

Evidence-based alternatives that address the concerns above.

1

Magna-Tiles

Safe geometric magnetic builders. The magnets are ultrasonically welded inside plastic encasements vastly larger than a child's airway.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about safety alerts answered by our research team.

QWhat do I do if my child swallows a magnet?

Go to the Pediatric Emergency Room immediately for an x-ray. Do not wait for symptoms.

R

Renee, R3 Founder

Environmental Toxins Analyst

Renee is the founder of R3 and a lead researcher in environmental toxins. She specializes in translating complex toxicology reports into actionable advice for families.

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