Mattel recall 4.4 million toys after children swallow magnets

Mattel is recalling 4.4 million Polly Pocket magnetic play sets, including 2 million sold outside the US, after three children were admitted to hospital with serious injuries from swallowing tiny magnets that fell off the toys, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today.

As the Christmas gift-buying season approaches, the commission is urging shoppers to avoid buying toy sets with small magnets for children under the age of six. Gift buyers also should check the toy labels, select age-appropriate toys and avoid gifts with sharp edges and small parts.

The Washington commission said it received 170 reports of the small magnets falling out from the dolls and accessories in the Polly Pocket sets. Each of the three injured children swallowed more than one magnet and suffered intestinal perforation that required surgery.

Sara Rosales, vice president of communications at Mattel, said the company was working with others in the toy industry, consumer advocates and the government “to make appropriate revisions to the US toy standard to prevent such issues in the future,” Rosales said.

The Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories featuring small magnets measuring 1/8 inch in diameter. The magnets are embedded in the hands and feet of the dolls, plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories that attach to the dolls.

The tiny magnets can fall out and be swallowed or inhaled by children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal.

The recall applies to about 2.4 million sets that were manufactured before April 1, 2005 and sold at department stores and toy stores in the United States from May 2003 through September 2006. It also affects another 2 million Polly Pocket play sets were sold worldwide.

Last March, another toy company, Mega Brands, recalled 3.8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets after one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in them.

In 2005, there were 20 toy-related deaths in the US and 152,400 toy-related injuries involving children under the age of 15. The majority of injuries were sustained from riding toys.

Today’s recall does not include sets currently on store shelves.

The recalled Polly Pocket brand sets include: Polly Place Hangin’ Out House, Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse, Spa Day, Quik-Clik Boutique, Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset, Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset and Totally Zen Playset. Polly Totally brand Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner sets are also being recalled.

The commission said consumers should take the toys away from children and contact Mattel to arrange for the return of the toy and to receive a voucher for a replacement toy.