prevent ER visits by avoiding toys with high-powered magnets

When shopping for toys and gifts this holiday season, don’t overlook the dangers that hide in magnetic toys.

Parents and caregivers should watch closely and stay vigilant for symptoms like vomiting and abdominal pain, and act swiftly if you suspect your child has ingested magnets, as quick medical attention can make all the difference, potentially avoiding the need for surgery.

What happens if my child swallows a magnet?

Some symptoms of a swallowed magnet may not be apparent at first, but it’s important to pay close attention to:

• Vomiting

• Abdominal Pain
• Fever

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, If you think your child has swallowed or been injured by a magnet, contact your pediatrician or the closest emergency department right away. Your child may need surgery. There are two main reasons why ingested magnets could be dangerous:

1. If two high-powered magnets (or a magnet and a metal object) are swallowed, the magnets will pull toward each other inside the body, which can eventually cause holes in the tissue caught between them. These holes can be life-threatening and require emergency surgery to fix.
2. Magnets can get stuck in the nose and cause serious injuries to the nasal respiratory tract. 

Why should I beware of magnets and magnet toys?

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 2,500 magnet ingestions treated in emergency departments in 2021 caused by these types of magnets. Locally, Dayton Children’s Emergency Department saw 38 children in 2023 after they swallowed magnets.

From the popular rare earth magnet sets to fidget toys, seemingly innocent gifts and stocking stuffers can lead to serious risks. The small size and large number of high-powered magnets in certain toy sets can make it nearly impossible to tell whether any magnets are missing.

Beware of items brought:

• From internet ads
• Third-party sellers
• Other online retailers

because they may have magnets and are very dangerous if swallowed! This warning is for kids of all ages, not just little ones as teens older kids have been found to use them as tongue piercings.

Learn more about the dangers of magnets by clicking here.