Magnetic toys: why swallowed magnets are an emergency
By Lewis C. Based on NHS advice and GOV.UK alerts, checked 1 October 2026.
If you think your child has swallowed a magnet
Go to A&E straight away, especially if it could be more than one. Don't try to make them sick. Call 999 or go to A&E if they're drooling more than usual or have blisters in their mouth.
Why it's an emergency
One magnet might pass through. Two or more can find each other inside the body, pulling together through the walls of the gut and trapping the tissue in between. Great Ormond Street surgeons describe this causing holes in the bowel and serious infection, sometimes needing part of the bowel removed. The toys involved are usually small, powerful magnets that come loose: magnetic balls and building sets, novelty desk toys and cheap construction kits.
How to check magnetic toys
- Magnets should be sealed in and not come loose with a tug or a drop. If one falls out, the toy's done.
- Keep magnet sets meant for adults (desk toys, magnetic balls) well away from children.
- Buy from shops you trust. UK alerts have found toy magnets far stronger than the legal limit, and most of those toys were listed on online marketplaces.
- Search the toy in our toy recall checker.
The alerts
79 UK toy safety alerts since 2021 involved magnets. They peaked in 2021 and 2022 and have been far fewer since.
- 202123
- 202236
- 20237
- 20247
- 20254
- 20262
Goodak Co Ltd Magnetic Chess Game
The product presents a serious risk of injuries as it contains small magnets with a magnetic flux index greater than the permitted level.
Borderline Editions Kluster (Classic) Game
The product presents a serious risk of injuries as it contains small magnets with a magnetic flux index greater than the permitted level.
Pei Feng Toys Factory Building Blocks sold via TikTok
The product presents a serious risk of injuries as the blocks contain small, accessible high-powered magnets that, if ingested, can cause blockages across internal organs.
TheKiddoSpace Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons
The product presents a risk of injuries because it contains accessible, small magnets.
Magnetic Effect Chess Intelligence Strategy Game sold via TikTok
The product presents a serious risk of injuries as it contains small magnets with a magnetic flux index greater than the permitted level.
Counterfeit SOPPYCID Refillable Water Balloon sold via Fruugo
The product presents a serious risk of injuries because it contains accessible magnets with a magnetic flux index that exceeds the acceptable level.
Cute Pet Series 5 Pcs Magnetic Silicone Reusable Water Balloons sold via Temu
These magnets were found to have a magnetic flux index greater than the maximum permissible level.
TEMI Magnetic Dart Board sold via Amazon
Additionally, one of the magnets was found to have a magnetic flux of 861 kG²mm².
Additionally, one of the magnets was found to have a magnetic flux of 662 ± 16 kG²mm².
If a child were to put the magnet in their mouth and swallow it, they may choke.
Magnetism Intelligence Strategy Game sold via Amazon
The magnets were found to have an excessively high magnetic flux, greater than the maximum permitted by the relevant standard.
Sucetoy Magnetic Chess Toy sold via Amazon
The magnetic toy was also found to have a magnetic flux index of 222 KG²mm², greater than the maximum permissible level of 50 KG²mm².
See all 79 in the toy recall checker