High powered magnet toys available, but still dangerous
This past November, a panel of judges overturned a 2014 Consumer Product Safety Commission rule that banned high-powered magnets. Here's what you need to know.
Young children have a habit of putting anything and everything in their mouths. Whether it's an accident, a dare, or just because they can, common household items such as a safety pin or toy car suddenly become a health hazard if swallowed. Ingesting nonfood items like these can potentially cause serious, lifelong injuries and can even be deadly.
One rising concern among pediatricians and parents alike is the ingestion of high-powered magnets. This past November, a panel of judges overturned a 2014 Consumer Product Safety Commission rule that banned these dangerous, high-powered magnets. Now that the CPSC ban has been vacated, it is crucial for parents to be aware of the damage these magnets can cause.
So what is it that makes these magnets so dangerous? While these magnets may be small, they're extremely powerful and can be up to eight times stronger than the average magnet.
Though not extremely common, ingestion of these magnets can pose serious health risks to children. If a child ingests more than one high-powered magnet, the magnets can activate and actually connect between various parts of the digestive system. Connections can occur between the stomach and the small intestine, between the small intestine and the colon, or across loops of bowel. This can lead to serious bowel damage as the intestines twist and perforate, causing ruptures, infections, and obstructions, all of which require medical imaging and often times emergency surgery.
Symptoms of magnet ingestion can be difficult to spot, since it's easy to confuse signs with other, more common stomach illnesses. In the beginning, it usually presents itself with similar symptoms to the average stomach bug. A child will typically begin complaining of pain in the abdomen, develop a fever and nausea, and start vomiting.
Although it may look like nothing more than a virus, the gastrointestinal consequences of high-powered magnet ingestion are far more severe and can cause lifelong injuries. If you suspect your child has swallowed one or more of these magnets, it is better to be extra cautious and take them to the hospital immediately.
While it may be impossible for parents to know and control everything their child eats (or tries to eat) on a daily basis, the best way to keep these high-powered magnets out of your child's mouth is to keep them out of your home. Be sure to read all labels and be aware of the toys and products that come into your home. If a toy or product contains a small magnet that could be easily ingested – or easily mistaken for your kid's favorite candy – it's best not to purchase it.
Since 2008, the CPSC received reports of over 200 incidents relating to magnet ingestion, however only 29 small magnet reports were actually filed, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is important for physicians, consumers and parents to report unsafe products and toys that can endanger the health and safety of children. To file a report, you can visit www.SaferProducts.gov or call the CPSC telephone hotline at 800-638-2772.
In addition to these recommendations, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics for the official statement on the concerns of overturning the ban on high-powered magnets.
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