Magnetix is a magnetic construction toy that combines plastic building pieces containing embedded neodymium magnets, and steel bearing balls that can be connected to form geometric shapes and structures. Designed to be a cheaper version of the Geomag magnetic construction set, Magnetix's image suffered severely when an early manufacturing defect caused a death. It was sold under various brands after the defect was corrected.
Design The spheres are to in diameter (larger than Geomag), approximately in weight, and are prone to surface corrosion, unlike most other magnetic construction toys. The bars with magnets at each end are long, or , or and flexible, or short rigid curves. Panel shapes include two types of interlocking triangles, interlockable squares, and circle or disks. The triangles and squares identify the north-south polarity of one of their embedded magnets. The disks identify all four magnets.
Popularity
According to TD Monthly, a trade magazine for the toy industry, Magnetix sets were among the top 10 most-wanted building sets in 2005, and top sellers on web sites including Amazon.com, KB Toys.com, and Walmart.com.
Product recalls
As early as 2004, medical professionals were warning the medical community about the dangers of "multiple magnet ingestion", but the case studies never made it into the popular press. A pediatric gastroenterologist, Dr. Marsha KayMarsha Kay, M.D. – Physician Directory of the Cleveland Clinic, was one of the first to publish an article on steps to take if a child is suspected of swallowing a magnet.
On March 31, 2006, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ordered a recall of all Magnetix brand magnetic building sets. The official CPSC recall notice was issued after the death of a small child and four serious injuries requiring surgery. "Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed," according to the recall notice. Other brands of magnetic builders, such as Geomag were not recalled.
On April 19, 2007, CPSC ordered further Magnetix recalls, recalling over 4 million sets.
Redesigned Magnetix sets sold since March 31, 2006, age-labeled 6+, were not subject to the recall.
References
External links MEGA Brands Product Recalls Toddler dies after ingesting magnetic toy Newspaper story from 2005 (archived December 30, 2010) Official Magnetix Product Recall Notice (March 31, 2006) from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Official Magnetix Expanded Product Recall Notice (April 19, 2007) from U.S. Government Consumer Product Safety Commission "Toy Remains in Stores After Child's Death" (Washington Post story) Mega Brands' Magnetix promotional site Mega Brands America To Pay $1.1 Million Civil Penalty For Reporting Violations With Popular Magnetic Building Sets news release from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (April 14, 2009)