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Magnetic Toy Sets

Another Mattel Magnetic Toy Set Recall
On August 14, 2007, Mattel Inc. issued additional recalls for millions of Magnetic toy sets. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recall notices, the magnets included in the Magnetic toy sets, which measure 1/8 of an inch in diameter and are embedded in the hands and feet, plastic clothing and accessories of the Magnetic toys, can come loose and pose a hazard to children if swallowed.    Included in the recall where 7.3 million Polly Pocket Play Sets; 1 million Doggie Day Care Play Sets; 683,000 Barbie and Tanner Play Sets; and 345,000 Batman and One Piece Action.  If a child swallows more than one of the powerful magnets from the toy, they can become attracted to each other in the intestinal tract.  This can cause the intestines to twist, and can lead to bowel obstructions, intestinal perforations and other serious injuries.    According to the CPSC recall notice, Mattel has had more than 400 reports of magnets coming out of the recalled toys.  No injuries involving toys from this recall have been reported so far.  Please see the far right of this page for a complete list  of all Magnetic toy sets included in the August 14th Mattel toy recall.

Mattel Magnetic Toy Recall
On November 21, 2006, Mattel Inc. recalled 4.4 million Polly Pocket magnetic play sets after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that three children were hospitalized with serious injuries from swallowing tiny magnets that fell off the toys. The CPSC received 170 reports of the tiny magnets falling out from the dolls and accessories in the Polly Pocket sets. Each of the three injured children swallowed more than one magnet and suffered intestinal perforation, where surgery was performed.

The Polly Pocket play sets consist of plastic dolls and accessories that include small magnets measuring approximately a 1/8inch in diameter. The magnets are set in the hands and feet of the dolls, plastic clothing, hairpieces and other accessories that attach to the dolls. This recall applies to 2.4 million sets that were manufactured prior to April 1, 2005 and sold at department stores and toy stores in the United States from May 2003 through September 2006. The toy sets cost between $15 and $30. This recall also affects one more 2 million Polly Pocket play sets were sold worldwide.

The recalled Polly Pocket brand sets include: Polly Place Hangin‘ Out House, Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse, Spa Day, Quik-Clik Boutique, Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset, Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset and Totally Zen Playset. Polly Totally brand Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner sets are also being recalled.

RoseArt Industries Magnetic Toy Recall
On July 29, 2006, RoseArt Industries instituted a voluntary recall and replacement program for approximately 3.8 million magnetic toys marketed to children three years of age and older. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it has gathered reports of 34 incidents involving the toy, including the death of a 20-month-old child who swallowed magnets from the toy.

Earlier in 2006, a 3-year-old boy swallowed three magnets contained in a Magnetix building block set, manufactured by RoseArts Industries. The magnets got stuck in the boy’s small intestines, but were later passed through his system. A short time later the child encountered additional stomachaches, vomiting, and fevers, which was attributed to the magnets being attracted to each other while inside the boy.

The magnets were wedged in various loops of the bowel, and their attraction to one another squeezed parts of his bowel together, cutting off blood flow to a portion of the bowel and killing it," said the child's mother. The bowel twisting caused an infection that nearly killed him, she said.

Children's Toys can be Very Dangerous
Many children’s toys on the market are extremely dangerous. The majority of these toys are very tiny and are often used by children of inappropriate ages. Toy manufacturers constantly fail to advise parents of the real hazards. Many times toys are not recalled until a child dies or is severely injured.

If your child has been seriously injured a result of a a defective magnetic children’s toy set, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation from an experienced products liability attorney.