Mattel recalls 4.4M magnetic playsets

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, November 22, 2006

UPDATE: NEW YORK—One day after the nationwide recall of more than 4 million Polly Pocket playsets, a Wyoming family is filing a lawsuit against Mattel, claiming that their 6-year-old son underwent life-saving surgery after ingesting small magnets that fell off of Polly Pockets dolls and accessories.

Under the recall by Mattel and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, three other cases of children suffering injuries after swallowing magnets, were reported. The agency is also has an additional 170 reports of small magnets coming out of the recalled toys.

UPDATE: Sept. 21, 2006

WASHINGTON—Mattel, in conjunction with the Consumer Product Saftey Commission (CPSC), has recalled 4.4. million Polly Pocket magnetic playsets following reports of three children hospitalized after swallowing tiny magnets that fell off the toys.

The CPSC has received 170 reports of small magnets falling out from dolls and accessories in the Polly Pocket sets. Each of the three injured children swallowed more than one magnet and suffered intestinal perforation that required surgery.

The Polly Pocket playsets contain plastic dolls and accessories featuring small magnets measuring 1/8-inch in diameter. The magnets are embedded in the hands and feet of the dolls, plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories that attach to the dolls. The tiny magnets can fall out and be swallowed or inhaled by children. If more than one magnet is swallowed, they can attach to each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal.

The recall applies to approximately 2.4 million sets that were manufactured before April 2005 and sold for $15 to $30 at department stores and toy stores in the United States from May 2003 through September 2006, as well as another 2 million Polly Pocket playsets sold worldwide. Today’s recall does not include sets currently on store shelves.

Sara Rosales, vice president of communications at Mattel, says the company is working with others in the toy industry, consumer advocates and the government "to make appropriate revisions to the U.S. toy standard to prevent such issues in the future."

In 2005, there were 20 toy-related deaths and 152,400 toy-related injuries involving children under age 15. The majority of injuries were sustained from riding toys. However, the CPSC is currently urging consumers to avoid buying toy sets with small magnets, sharp edges or small parts, particularly during this holiday gift-giving season, for children under the age of 6. Last March, Mega Brands recalled 3.8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets after a child died and four others were injured after swallowing tiny magnets from the toys. The commission recommends checking toy labels to better select age-appropriate toys.

The recalled Polly Pocket brand sets include: Polly Place Hangin' Out House, Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse, Spa Day, Quik-Clik Boutique, Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset, Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset and Totally Zen Playset. The Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner sets are also being recalled.

The commission said consumers should take the toys away from children and contact Mattel to arrange for the return of the toys and to receive vouchers for replacement toys. For more information about the recall, contact Mattel at888-597-6597or visit http://www.service.mattel.com or http://www.cpsc.gov.

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