I hate to tell you, but these things do represent a frightening and insidious hazard. The magnets are extremely strong, and if two or more are ingested, they will inevitably clamp together across who knows what organic boundaries, and wreck havoc which can only be remedied by surgical intervention, if it’s detected in time. Spoken as a grandfather, maybe, but these are not your grandfather’s magnets.
Misuse of a product is not a reason to have it banned.
I hate to tell you, but these things do represent a frightening and insidious hazard.
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I try not to be a nanny-stater ... but these small, powerful magnets are indeed a level above your average choking hazard because of the danger they pose. The problem, as Dr. Lew noted, is that if kids swallow two or more of these things, the magnets can clamp together inside the child, pinching various things together that should not be pinched, creating ruptures, tears, and places where gangrene can begin. The REAL problem is that unless you as a parent, grandparent, or caretaker have specifically been TOLD that this can happen, you might not know, and might not realize the danger even after some magnets have been ingested. I only found out about the danger myself when our kids were toddlers. I had no idea at all, until I read about it in a parenting magazine. The child does not have to choke — just swallow a couple of magnets. The danger is worse than many things categorized as poison.
I respect your opinion, but Life is an insidious hazard. I bet that nobody lives through it!
The fact is that children under three, and even some older children and adults, put things in their mouths. The way to combat this is to be a responsible person and child proof your house as much as you can.
What about Lego's. They are extremely hazardous and pose an extreme choking hazard. They are marketed to children ages four to adulthood. Many of these children have infant and toddler siblings. Should they be banned? Or should their parents train the older children to only play with the toys AWAY from the toddlers? They are certainly worse since a child dead from choking on LEGOS has NO surgical solution beyond embalming. At least with the consumption of these balls a potential life saving surgery can be performed.
Electricity is incredibly dangerous. Children, like pets are known to gnaw on wires with their little bitey teeth. Should people who procreate be banned from the grid as protection against the evil extension cord?
Cars may be the most dangerous mass marketed product of all. Tens of thousands of people including thousands of infants and toddlers are killed every years by these monsters, Perhaps they should be banned as well? These are part and parcel of the insanity of the all intrusive government. The toy is manufactured, marketed and intended FOR OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS. They are the ones responsible for the children, NOT the government.
My home is full of things that would be frightening hazard to toddlers and small children. Do you think all of those items should be banned?
Next up will be the coin-cell batteries. Eat a hole in your innards.