05/28/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
Washington, DC – On Thursday, May 27, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Maxfield and Oberton LLC, of New York, NY, announced a voluntary recall of Buckyballs® High Powered Magnets Sets. Consumers are advised to stop using the products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Approximately 170,000 units of the toy sets are subject to the recall.
According to the press release, the high-powered magnets were labeled “Ages 13+,” which does not meet the mandatory toy standard F963-08. The standard was made effective on August 17, 2009 and requires that such powerful magnet sets are not sold to children under the age 14. Magnets found by young children pose the risk of being swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is consumed, the units can attract each other and cause intestinal blockages or perforations. These ailments can prove fatal.
As of the press release date, Maxfield and Oberton received two reports of children swallowing one or more magnets, but no reports of injuries.
The recalled sets contain 216 powerful rare earth magnets. They are intended to build shapes and patterns. The magnets released after march 2010, which are labeled “Keep Away From All Children” are not subject to the recall.
The magnets were sold at stores across the country and online between March 2009 and March 2010.
The product was manufactured in China.
Consumers are recommended to take the Buckyballs® high powered magnets with the “Ages 13+” labels away from children under 14 and contact Maxfield and Oberton for instructions on getting refunded for the purchase upon returning the complete set of magnets.
Additional information is provided on the company’s website at www.maxfieldandobertonsafety.com. One can also call the firm at (888) 847-8716 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.
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