FAQ: "What can I do?"

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 20:24:10 GMT

UPDATE: Only 8,500 sets have been replaced, out of 3.8 million Magnetix toys recalled (see our News Stories and News in Canada below)! Will some of our children pay the price later for the failure of this public safety oversight?

Here is what you can do....

In the wake of the newly identified dangers of certain magnetic toys, many people have been surprised and saddened. They have also been asking, what can I do to prevent an injury to a child in my home, or to help other families stop a tragedy?

(1) First and foremost, if you live in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia or New Zealand and have any Magnetix toys subject to the recall notice, stop using them now. You can return each of them, free of charge, for a different type of replacement toy from Rose Art/Mega Bloks. According to the US CPSC, you do not need to have a young child in your home or have purchased the toy for a child under 6. Since all the toys sold through March 2006 are at serious risk of being defective (i.e. tiny magnets falling out), the best thing to do is to simply remove them from your home. Just do it! Fill out the web form or call toll-free and the manufacturer will pick up the toys from you at no charge. (Australian parents go here.) (New Zealand parents go here.)

Click here to send the US recall notice link to a friend!

(2) If you have knowledge of any defective children's products, please report it to the CPSC or your local children's product safety agency. This means they want to hear from you if ANY magnets are missing from your Magnetix, or you have any other safety concerns. Of course, if your child has been injured by a toy you should also report the incident as quickly as possible. You can call toll-free in the US at 1-800-638-2772.

(3) Are you a parent who would like to share your story, in the hopes that future injuries can be spared? There is a very special non-profit organization who invites you to do just that. It's called Family Voices at Kids in Danger. Read "Kenny's story", written by his parents.

(4) If you are thinking of buying a Magnetix product sold after April 1, 2006 or if you bought one during that time frame - exercise extreme caution. The "enhanced" toys that Rose Art is continuing to actively market and sell have not yet been safety-tested and the CPSC has said their investigation is not closed out.

(5) Warn your friends! Copy and paste: "I read about a dangerous toy called Magnetix that has been found defective by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Australian authorities. Since these magnetic building sets made by Rose Art Industries have been so popular among families with varying ages of kids, concerned parents have been urging people to spread the word of potential dangers. Several children age 10 months to 11 years have consumed tiny magnets that fell out of their toys, with life-threatening results as the powerful magnets attracted to each other inside their bodies - including a child's death. If you have any toys from the Magnetix line, authorities are saying you should send them back for a free suitable replacement toy. Here is a link where you can find the latest updates: http://magnetscankill.spaces.live.com. Pass it on!"

(6) Send your comments or suggestions to the special Work Group of the ASTM Toy Safety Committee authorized in June, 2006. American Society for Testing Materials International is an international standard-setting body. The toy industry has a practice of implementing voluntary standards including product labeling and appropriate materials usage. The meetings are open and input is welcomed from the public. You may send your comments to:

Katharine Morgan Staff Manager Re: ASTM Subcommittee F15.22, Work Group: Magnet safety in toys(1) Via e-mail to kmorgan@astm.org or 610-832-9721 or (2) Via regular mail to:

ASTM International

100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959

These are just a few ways you can get involved.

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FAQ: "What can I do?"