It seems that magnetic toys are more controlled since the boxes indicate the health hazard posed by magnetized parts.
But nevertheless This warning is not enough if parents are not able to supervise children's play, and even more so if we do not convey prudence to them. that should be taken when handling spheres, strips and canes that have a magnet.
If it were not for a story that emerged a year ago, I venture to ensure that despite the age indicated on the packaging (five, six, eight years), this type of toys They are not fit until 10 years. You know: the little ones play to experiment and use their mouths for it, when they are older they can neglect and put a magnetized ball in their mouths. There are also kids who get bored and get nervous and as a result they take small objects to their lips.
In the news that I speak to you, the Washington Post, reported some cases of 10-year-old children from Fairfax County (Virginia) who, due to a 'fashionable' practice, suffered hospitalizations for ingesting small spheres of magnetic bearings. Apparently children placed one under the tip of the tongue, and another on the top, thus simulating a piercing. They did the same in the nose.
These balls are about 5 millimeters in diameter and are marketed as desk toys for adults (never for children). However, the spheres, sticks, magnetic letters, and other games, also have magnets, being some of the pieces easy to swallow if they are put in the mouth (remember that the strip of the letters can be easily released).
What happens when two or more magnets are swallowed?
Well, what they can attract each other inside the stomach or intestines, causing serious injuries such as perforations, intestinal obstruction, blood poisoning and even death.
Normally a single piece would not have to cause such important problems (unless it goes to the trachea), since it would run through the digestive system, but anyway we do not like that our children go through the mouth or The nose strange objects.
When children are babies we are very aware of them, but we relax our supervision as we grow up, which is normal since they gradually need their own spaces. Therefore I would recommend not having toys with magnets or magnetic spheres in sight or within reach of children, as well as other very dangerous objects when ingested (button batteries, for example).
So we can be calm, and at the same time we do not overwhelm them with unnecessary recommendations if the play space is safe.
At home there are two magnetic games that are only taken out if any of the adults are going to sit with them. And I never forgot to explain why if ingested magnets can be dangerous to health.
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