Geometix International LLC Recalls MagneBlocks™ Toys, Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

Staff -- Kids Today, 1/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product:

MagneBlocks™ Magnetic Construction Toys

Units:

About 40,000 sets

Distributor:

Geometix International LLC, of Brookfield, Conn.

Hazard:

Tiny magnets inside the building pieces can fall out. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation or blockage, which can be fatal.

Incidents/Injuries:

The firm is aware of one incident where a magnet became loose. No injuries have been reported.

Description:

All types of MagneBlocks™ construction sets are included in this recall. The sets contain six or more plastic building pieces and six or more 1/2-inch diameter steel balls. Some sets include steel rods. The building pieces are various colors and are shaped in 1 1/2-inch cubes and three-, four-, and five-sided pyramids. The plastic building pieces have “MagneBlocks™” imprinted on them.

Sold at:

Discount department and toy stores and Web sites, and other toy and arts and crafts stores nationwide. The MagneBlocks™ magnetic building sets were sold from January 2004 through November 2006 for between $20 and $120, depending on the size of the set. Sets currently for sale have improved warning labels.

Manufactured in:

China

Remedy:

CPSC recommends children under 6 years of age not play with toys containing magnets. If a magnet comes out of one of the blocks in these sets, immediately remove the block from the set and send it to Geometrix International for a free replacement block.

Consumer Contact:

For additional information, contact Geometix International at (866) 775-0265 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit Geometix International’s Web site at www.magneblocks.com