Small, high-powered magnets safety factsheet
Introduction
Magnets are objects that can pull or push certain types of metal.
They are common in homes and can be found in:
- fridge magnets
- toys
- jewellery
- computers
- cabinets
- furniture
- appliances.
Some magnets are very small but have a much stronger pull than allowed in other magnet products. These are called small, high-powered magnets.
Small, high-powered magnets are:
- about 5mm wide
- shiny or colourful
- shaped like small balls or other tiny shapes.
They are often found in:
- toys like colourful magnet balls used to build shapes
- adult stress and fidget toys
- jewellery that looks like face piercings.
Small, high-powered magnets can be dangerous for children and cause serious injury if swallowed.
Because they are small, children may swallow more than one at a time.
Their strong pull means the magnets can stick together inside the body and cause serious harm if swallowed.
Magnets in facial jewellery can also get stuck in the nose and cause injury.
Signs and symptoms
There might not be any immediate signs that your child has swallowed a magnet. Symptoms can take hours or days to appear and may include:
- gagging or choking
- drooling
- belly pain or discomfort
- pain around the face or throat
- cramps
- nausea or vomiting
Act immediately if you think your child has swallowed a small, high-powered magnet.
Call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for urgent advice and directions to the nearest emergency department.
Do not try to make your child vomit.
Do not let your child eat or drink while you wait for instructions.
Diagnosis
Your child’s treatment team in the emergency department will check your child based on any symptoms they are showing. They may also need to do an x-ray to see how many magnets were swallowed and where they are in the body.
Treatment
Do not try to treat your child at home by making your child vomit.
Injuries from small, high-powered magnets are treated in the hospital.
Call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for immediate support and information on which emergency department to go to for treatment.
Management
Keeping your child safe from small, high-powered magnets
Small, high-powered magnets are banned in Australia but are still found in toys and jewellery bought from other countries or online.
To prevent injuries from these magnets:
- remove any small, high-powered magnets from your home
- check for these magnets in toys or products bought online or overseas
- avoid buying magnetic jewellery from other countries or online
- talk to your child or teenager about the dangers of magnetic facial jewellery
To protect your child from choking and other injuries caused by magnets:
- only buy magnet toys that are too big to fit in your child’s mouth
- ensure magnets in toys are firmly attached and cannot come loose
- keep magnetic toys away from young children
- throw away toys if any magnets become loose.
Standards and legislation for small, high-powered magnets
A permanent ban on small, high-powered magnets came into effect in November 2012.
The ban applies to all separable or loose magnets that:
- are small enough to fit into the small parts cylinder
- have magnetic flux, the total magnetic field that passes through a given area, of 50 or more
- are marketed as
- a toy, game or puzzle
- a construction or modelling kit
- jewellery to be worn in or around the mouth or nose.
Consumer protection law states that all toys for children 36 months and under in Australia must comply with the Australian Standard:
AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2019 - Safety of toys.
Part 1: Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties.
