High-Powered Magnets Pose Hazard to Children

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is finding that high-powered magnets continue to be a safety risk to children. When children swallow these magnets--often used by tweens and teens to create jewelry, such as nose and tongue piercings or studs--the consequences are often severe. "When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can attract one another internally, resulting in serious injuries, such as small holes in the stomach and intestines, intestinal blockage, blood poisoning and even death," CPSC says.

Incident reports have increased since 2009, when the agency received one report. It received seven reports in 2010 and 14 through October 2011. Of the reported incidents, 17 involved magnet ingestion and 11 required surgical removal of the magnets.

To avoid magnet ingestion injuries, here's what CPSC recommends:

• Keep small magnets away from young children who might swallow them.
• Look out for loose magnet pieces--and regularly inspect toys and children's play areas for missing or dislodged magnets.
• If you suspect that magnets have been swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
• Look for abdominal symptoms, such as abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

View a video on the hazard here.