Buzz
You’ve likely heard that powerful, small magnets pose a risk to children. You would never give a toddler a neodymium magnet for any reason; you know that when two of these magnets are swallowed, they can fuse together inside the body, potentially causing serious harm. Yet, despite these warnings, a recent survey shared with the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that children continue to ingest them at concerning rates.
“Parents rarely consider that their child could be ‘so careless as to swallow’ magnets,” said pediatrician Minna Wieck in a statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics regarding a new study on magnet-related injuries. “However, kids are doing it more frequently, even with adult supervision, and despite adults being aware of the potential dangers of these magnets.” This includes children who you might expect to be old enough to know better.
What makes rare-earth magnets so hazardous?
Doctors are particularly worried about rare-earth magnets, which are made from elements like neodymium that belong to the rare earth group on the periodic table.
Rare-earth magnets are significantly stronger than the typical refrigerator magnet, and their strength allows them to be manufactured in very small sizes. This makes them easy to swallow (or for young children to ingest) and, once inside, they can cause severe harm due to their strength.
When two powerful magnets come together inside the body, they can trap anything between them. For example, if magnets in two separate loops of the small intestine come together, the intestine itself could be squeezed between them.
Such injuries have led to surgeries in children and, tragically, some fatalities. Despite frequent warnings, incidents involving magnets continue to rise. The CPSC reports that 26,600 magnet ingestions were treated in emergency rooms between 2010 and 2021, with cases increasing since 2018. Additionally, the AAP has noted that over half of children who swallow magnets require hospitalization and often surgery.
How can you determine if a magnet is dangerous?
As a general guideline, the smaller the magnet, the more critical it is to keep it out of children's reach. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has set a rule for toys aimed at children up to age 14, which requires that any magnet small enough to be swallowed must be less than 50 kg2mm2—in other words, it must not be excessively powerful. Thus, toys designed for children should be safe. However, the CPSC frequently sends notices to companies that fail to comply with this standard. A list of magnet violations can be found here.
The most concerning magnets appear to be those that come in small kits, containing dozens or even hundreds of tiny magnetic balls or shapes. These magnets are easy to swallow and strong enough to cause harm. Such kits are marketed to adults and older children, so they are not typically seen as toys for toddlers.
The issue with kits like these, as noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is that with so many small balls, it’s easy not to notice when a few go missing. Your child may find one on the floor, then another. (They might even swallow one magnet today and a different metal object the next day.)
Magnet set regulations have evolved over time. For a brief period, from 2014 to 2016, these sets were banned, and during that time, injuries from magnet ingestion decreased. However, the ban was lifted, and injuries began to rise once more. A revised version of the rule took effect in late 2022, but many older products are still available.
How can you protect children from the dangers of rare-earth magnets?
Saying 'Don’t give your kids rare-earth magnets' is a crucial safety guideline, but it’s just the beginning of what you need to know. The AAP advises keeping powerful magnets completely out of the home if you have young children, or securely locking them away. This is especially important for magnet kits: 'Avoid using large sets of magnets. It's difficult to tell if any are missing.'
They also suggest talking to older children and teenagers about the dangers of playing with small magnets. It might seem fun to stick magnets on your tongue, lip, or nose as makeshift jewelry, and some even sell 'magnetic earrings' for this purpose. However, magnets can easily be swallowed or inhaled by accident—don’t dismiss it, kids have done this—and your teenager could end up facing the same serious risks as a toddler who swallows magnets on purpose.
Another crucial reminder is to consider magnet ingestion if your child complains of stomach pain. Abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and fever could indicate the harm caused by magnets in the body. If you suspect your child has swallowed a magnet, get them to emergency medical help immediately.
