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About toys that have magnets
Magnets can be dangerous to children if swallowed.
Many toys can have magnets attached or embedded in the toy. Small, strong magnets can be used inside toys to attach parts or to make toys stick to other play objects.
Examples of toys with magnets:
- magnetic letters, numbers or figures
- magnetic blocks and tiles
- magnetic puzzles and games.
Always supervise your children up to 14 years of age if playing with toys that have magnets.
Be aware of magnetic products that you or older children may have in the house also and keep them out of reach of children under 3 years of age.
Risks and injuries from the product
If you suspect a child has swallowed magnets, seek urgent medical assistance.
Magnets can be dangerous to children if they put them in their mouth or they are swallowed. Magnets can:
- cause infections and other serious injuries
- can cause a child to choke if the magnet lodges in their throat and blocks their windpipe
- cause perforations and blockages in the intestine.
If multiple magnets are swallowed together, they can lock together into one big object and cause death, or serious injuries across multiple organs and tissues in the body.
Urgent surgery can be needed to remove magnets. This may not help avoid serious lifelong medical complications.
Things to look for when buying the product
Some serious injuries have happened to children playing with toys that have magnets.
For this reason, there’s a toys containing magnets mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with for toys for children under 14 years of age. There is also a product ban on small high powered magnets.
Design and construction
- Make sure toy magnets, like letters, numbers or figures, are too big to fit in the mouth of a child under 3 years of age. This is in case the magnet comes loose. Use our tool to check for choke safety.
- Make sure magnets are securely attached or embedded in the toy, and cannot come off or out easily.
Markings and notices
- Check for any age grading label that states the suitability of the toy for the child’s age.
How to use the product safely
Maintain safety when you have toys with magnets
If you have toys with magnets, make sure you:
- always supervise your children up to 14 years of age when playing with toys that have magnets
- regularly check that magnets are securely attached or embedded in the toy
- always dispose of toys if their magnets become loose.
Take extra care when children are under 3 years of age
Keep your baby and toddler safe, by making sure you:
- check that toy products are age appropriate and have labelling for 3 years olds and under
- always supervise children under 3 years of age if they are playing with toys that have magnets. Make sure they do not put them in their mouth.
- keep toys with strong magnets, or magnetic parts that are small enough to be swallowed, away from babies and toddlers.
Check for choke safety
To help prevent choking use the Choke check safety tool. The tool can help you find out if a toy with magnets is a choking risk.
If the toy fits inside the tool, it could get stuck in your child's throat. You should keep these toys away from children under 3 years of age.
