Magnets might seem like harmless fun, but when it comes to young children, these tiny objects can carry life-threatening risks. Whether hidden in toys, crafts, or household gadgets, high-strength magnets are increasingly being linked to serious injuries when swallowed.
At Fred Safety, our mission is to help parents create safer spaces for their children by identifying and addressing everyday hazards in the home. While we don’t sell toys, we do want to help families understand the dangers that products like small, powerful magnets can pose and what steps you can take to keep your little ones safe.
Why are Magnets Dangerous?
Magnets, especially small, powerful ones commonly found in toys and household gadgets, pose a serious health risk when swallowed. If a child swallows more than one magnet, even hours apart, they can attract each other inside the body, tearing tissue, cutting off blood supply, and causing life-threatening injuries such as perforations, infections, or blockages.
Research conducted by health experts at University Hospital Southampton revealed that in just one year, more than 300 children in the UK were admitted to A&E after swallowing magnets. Alarmingly, one in ten of those cases required life-saving surgery (Source: UHS Health Research).
How do these Accidents Happen?
Young children are naturally curious and love to explore with their mouths. Small, shiny magnets can be mistaken for sweets or simply seem fun to touch and taste. They often come from older siblings’ toys or kits, or from broken products where magnets have come loose.
A recent article in the Daily Mail describes how two-year-old Rebecca McCarthy nearly died after swallowing 14 colourful magnetic balls, mistaking them for sweets. The magnets came from toys bought online for her older brother. At first, her symptoms were thought to be a stomach bug, but after two days and a second hospital visit, an X-ray revealed the magnets had clumped together in her intestines, causing serious internal damage.
Rebecca underwent two hours of emergency surgery, during which doctors had to temporarily remove part of her intestines to retrieve the magnets. Though she survived, her recovery was long and traumatic.
Older children, sometimes experiment with magnets in riskier ways, often inspired by trends on social media platforms. What might seem like harmless fun can quickly become serious if magnets are accidentally swallowed.
Eight-year-old Rhys Millum from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, tragically died after swallowing ten tiny silver magnetic balls. The 3mm spheres linked together inside his bowel, forming a 30mm chain that perforated his small intestine. Without his family's knowledge, Rhys swallowed the magnets ten days earlier, believed to be influenced by a “fake piercing” challenge seen on social media, where magnets are placed on either side of the cheek to mimic facial piercings.
The full stories can be read here.
Where are these Magnets Found?
Magnets can be found in a wide range of everyday items. While some are designed with safety in mind, many magnets sold through online marketplaces come from overseas sellers and may not meet UK safety standards. These cheaper, unregulated products often haven’t been properly tested, and the magnets inside them can be far stronger than what is legally allowed in children's toys. According to the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), some magnetic toys being sold have a magnetic flux of 850—17 times higher than the legal limit of 50—posing a serious risk to children if swallowed.
What can I do to Prevent Magnet Injuries?
There are several practical steps parents and carers can take to reduce the risk of serious injuries caused by magnets:
1. Inspect Toys Regularly
Check magnetic toys often to make sure the magnets are securely attached and cannot be easily removed during play. If a toy looks damaged or worn, it is safest to stop using it.
2. Follow Age Guidance and Supervise Older Children’s Toys
Always check the recommended age for magnetic toys and avoid giving them to children under the suggested age, especially those under three years old. Toys designed for older children—like magnetic building sets, fidget gadgets or jewellery kits—can pose serious risks if younger siblings get hold of them. Talk to older children about the dangers and encourage them to keep their toys out of reach when not in use.
3. Buy from Trusted Sources
Purchase magnetic toys from reputable retailers and recognized brands. Many low-cost products from unknown sellers, especially on online marketplaces, may not meet UK safety standards and could contain magnets that are dangerously strong.
4. Store Magnets Safely
Magnetic toys should be put away immediately after use. Use safety locks such as Fred Safety Multi-Purpose Block on drawers or cupboards where toys with small parts are kept to ensure younger children cannot access them.
5. Be Aware of Social Media Trends
Keep an eye on trends that encourage risky behaviour, such as the "fake piercing" challenge where magnets are placed on either side of the cheek. Make sure children understand these trends are dangerous and can have serious consequences.
At Fred Safety, we are committed to helping families create safer environments for their children. Magnets may be small, but their dangers are very real. No family should ever have to face the trauma experienced by Rebecca’s and Rhys’s families. These tragedies highlight just how dangerous high-powered magnets can be when they fall into the hands of young children—often with no warning signs until it is too late. By raising awareness, staying informed about product safety, and taking a few simple precautions at home, parents and carers can significantly reduce the risk. Together, we can make homes safer and help prevent these accidents from happening to another child.