Toys R Us Recalls High-Powered Magnet Sets Due to Ingestion Hazards

What's being recalled

This recall involves high-powered magnets sets with the brand name Buckyballs. The sets contain 216 silver-colored, spherical rare earth magnets, each about five millimeters in diameter.

The problem, in CPSC's words

When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Internal injury from magnets can pose serious lifelong health effects.

Incidents and injuries reported to CPSC

Toys R Us has received no reports of injuries. CPSC has received 54 reports of incidents involving children ingesting high-powered magnets resulting in 53 reports of medical intervention.

What CPSC says to do

Refund

Consumers should stop using the recalled high-powered magnet sets immediately, take all associated individual magnets away from children and teenagers and contact Toys R Us as listed above for a full refund. Toys R Us will contact each purchasing customer directly to coordinate the recall. Returns of the magnet sets will not be accepted in stores.

How to contact the company

Toys R Us, at (800) 869-7787 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Sundays, or online at www.toysrus.com, then click on About Us, then select "Safety" at the top of the page, and then "Click here" under Product Recalls.

Open the official CPSC notice