CPSC Warns Consumers to Immediately Stop Using Magnetic Chess Games Due to Ingestion Hazard; Violation of the Federal Safety Regulation for Magnet Toys; Sold by Maemall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of Magnetic Chess Games sold by Maemall because the loose, hazardous magnets pose a risk of serious injury or death if ingested by children.

CPSC testing determined the magnets do not comply with the requirements of the mandatory federal regulation for magnet toys because they contain one or more strong magnets that fit within CPSC's small parts cylinder.

When high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can attract to each other, or to another metal object, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning and death.

CPSC estimates 2,400 magnet ingestions were treated in hospital emergency departments annually from 2017 through 2021. CPSC is aware of eight deaths since 2005 involving the ingestion of hazardous magnets, including two outside of the United States.

CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller, Maemall, of China, but the firm has not agreed to recall the Magnetic Chess Games or offer a remedy to consumers.

The games were sold in a blue box with the word "Magnetic" on the front and back of the box. The game includes about 20 loose black magnets, a yellow string, a plastic drawstring storage bag, and instructions for play. The magnetic chess games were sold online at www.walmart.comfor about $14.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the magnetic chess games immediately, take them away from children, and dispose of them.

Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissionersto search for statements related to this or other topics.