New standards could be on the way for toys with magnets.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously today to develop new standards for the high powered magnet sets. The agency estimates that small, high powered magnet sets were associated with 1,700 emergency room-treated injuries between 2009 and 2011. The majority of injuries (70 percent) have been to children 4 to 12 years of age.
I’ve done stories on some of these injuries and they are horrible.
If swallowed, these magnets can link together inside a child’s intestines. They’ve been known to cause intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death.
Many toys have been recalled because of the dangers of the magnets they include.
The proposed standards would set requirements for magnet sets based on their size and strength. Sets that don’t meet the requirements could not be sold as toys. There will be a public comment period, so I'll let you know when that opens up.
In the meantime, you can learn more about magnet dangers go here.
