LONDON– Parents are being urged to take extra care when buying magnetic toys, as new research reveals that hundreds of children in the UK have been hospitalised after swallowing small magnets—some requiring life-saving surgery.
A study by the University of Southampton found that around 300 children were admitted to emergency departments in a single year after ingesting magnets. Worryingly, one in 10 needed emergency surgery due to serious internal injuries.
Doctors warn that swallowing two or more magnets is especially dangerous. The magnets can attract each other inside the body, clamping together and causing damage to the intestines.
“This can lead to major complications, such as needing part of the bowel removed or the use of a stoma,” said Professor Nigel Hall, lead author of the study and a paediatric surgeon at Southampton Children’s Hospital. “Having emergency surgery is traumatic for both the child and their family.”
The study, the first of its kind in the UK, examined cases involving children under 16. It also highlighted a disturbing trend linked to social media, where children—mainly girls—imitated tongue piercings by placing small magnets in their mouths. This trend accounted for 6% of cases.
Magnets are often found in toys such as magnetic balls, fake piercings, and other household items. Despite their popularity, many products carry few or no safety warnings, especially those sold on online marketplaces.
Professor Hall called on retailers to take greater responsibility: “These magnets have the potential to harm a large number of children. Retailers must improve their warning labels, particularly for products sold online.”
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT), the UK’s leading charity focused on preventing injuries in young people, has welcomed the findings. Chief Executive Katrina Phillips OBE warned that some magnets on the market are far too strong.
“We’ve seen magnets with a flux strength of 850 – that’s 17 times higher than the legal limit of 50,” Phillips said. “These super strong magnets can tear through a child’s intestines and cause life-changing injuries. Tragically, one child has already died.”
She urged parents to buy only from reputable retailers and avoid cheap magnetic toys from third-party sellers.
Doctors also stressed that children who swallow magnets often show no symptoms, making early medical attention critical. “If a child is suspected to have swallowed a magnet, they must go to A&E for an x-ray as soon as possible,” Hall added.
CAPT’s Top Safety Tips for Parents:
- Keep small magnets out of reach of young children.
- Avoid magnetic fidget sets, which can be dangerous for children of any age.
- Buy only from trusted retailers or well-known brands.
- Steer clear of cheap products from unknown online sellers.
- Seek emergency care immediately if your child may have swallowed a magnet.
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