Magnetix

The spheres are {{convert|0.588|in|abbr=on}} to {{convert|0.593|in|abbr=on}} in diameter (larger than Geomag), approximately {{convert|27.8|g|abbr=on}} in weight, and are prone to surface corrosion, unlike most other magnetic construction toys. The bars with magnets at each end are {{convert|27|mm|abbr=on|adj=on}} long, or {{convert|68|mm|abbr=on}}, or {{convert|53|mm|abbr=on}} and flexible, or short rigid curves. Panel shapes include two types of interlocking triangles, interlockable squares, and circle or disks. The triangles and squares identify the North-South polarity of one of their embedded magnets. The disks identify all four magnets.

According to TD Monthly, a trade magazine for the toy industry, Magnetix sets were among the top 10 most-wanted building sets in 2005, and top sellers on web sites including Amazon.com, KB Toys.com, and Walmart.com.[http://www.toydirectory.com/monthly/article.asp?id=1203 TDmonthly - TDmonthly’s Top 10 Most Wanted Building Sets]

On March 31, 2006, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ordered a recall of all Magnetix brand magnetic building sets. The official CPSC recall notice{{Cite web |url=http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06127.html |title=Child's Death Prompts Replacement Program of Magnetic Building Sets |access-date=2006-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060405113358/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06127.html |archive-date=2006-04-05 |url-status=dead }} was issued after the death of a small child and four serious injuries requiring surgery. "Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed," according to the recall notice. Other brands of magnetic builders, such as Geomag were not recalled.

File:Cpscmagnetixtoyrecall.jpg

On April 19, 2007, CPSC ordered further Magnetix recalls, recalling over 4 million sets. "To date, CPSC and Mega Brands are aware of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries. Emergency surgical intervention was needed in all but one case. At least 1,500 incidents of magnets separating from the building pieces have been reported. ... If a child swallows more than one tiny powerful magnet detached from the plastic building pieces or one such magnet and a metallic object, the objects can attract to each other inside the intestines and cause perforations and/or blockage, which can be fatal, if not treated immediately." Redesigned Magnetix sets sold since March 31, 2006, age-labeled 6+, were not subject to the recall.{{cite web|url=http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07164.html|title=Magnetix Magnetic Building Set Recall Expanded|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070422155224/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07164.html|date=April 19, 2007|archivedate=April 22, 2007 |url-status=dead}}

As early as 2004, medical professionals were warning the medical community about the dangers of "multiple magnet ingestion",{{cite journal|url=http://radiology.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/full/233/2/615|title=Multiple Magnet Ingestion Alert - Oestreich |volume=233|issue=2|page=615|journal=Radiology|doi=10.1148/radiol.2332041446|pmid=15516625 | last1 = Oestreich | first1 = AE|year=2004 }} but the case studies{{cite web|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20151105123850/https://www2.rsna.org/timssnet/media/pressreleases/pr_target.cfm?ID=203|url= http://www2.rsna.org/pr/target.cfm?ID=203|date=October 26, 2004|title= Swallowing Multiple Magnets Poses Danger to Children|archivedate=November 5, 2015}} never made it into the popular press. A pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Marsha Kay[http://www.clevelandclinic.org/staff/getstaff.asp?StaffId=677 Marsha Kay, M.D. - Physician Directory] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060624223352/http://www.clevelandclinic.org/staff/getstaff.asp?StaffId=677 |date=2006-06-24 }} of the Cleveland Clinic, was one of the first to publish an article on steps to take if a child is suspected of swallowing a magnet.{{cite web|url=http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/4000/4024.asp?index=12952|title=Magnetic Toys: When Attraction is a Health Problem|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060715065850/http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/4000/4024.asp?index=12952|archivedate= July 15, 2006 |url-status=dead}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.megabrands.com/en/customerservice/recallinfo/index.php MEGA Brands Product Recalls]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20101230041224/http://www.dallasnews.com:80/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/122205dnnatmagnet.7afac44.html Toddler dies after ingesting magnetic toy] Newspaper story from 2005 (archived December 30, 2010)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060405113358/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06127.html Official Magnetix Product Recall Notice] (March 31, 2006) from U.S. Government Consumer Product Safety Commission
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070422155224/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07164.html Official Magnetix Expanded Product Recall Notice] (April 19, 2007) from U.S. Government Consumer Product Safety Commission
• [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/31/AR2006033101897.html "Toy Remains in Stores After Child's Death"] (Washington Post story)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070626132517/http://www.megabrands.com/en/products/index.php?brand_id=33&cat=2 Mega Brands' Magnetix] promotional site
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20090417114125/http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09193.html Mega Brands America To Pay $1.1 Million Civil Penalty For Reporting Violations With Popular Magnetic Building Sets] news release from the U.S. Government Consumer Product Safety Commission, (April 14, 2009)

Category:Construction toys

Category:Toy recalls