[Hetty_Fauxvert]

I hate to tell you, but these things do represent a frightening and insidious hazard.

* * *

I try not to be a nanny-stater ... but these small, powerful magnets are indeed a level above your average choking hazard because of the danger they pose. The problem, as Dr. Lew noted, is that if kids swallow two or more of these things, the magnets can clamp together inside the child, pinching various things together that should not be pinched, creating ruptures, tears, and places where gangrene can begin. The REAL problem is that unless you as a parent, grandparent, or caretaker have specifically been TOLD that this can happen, you might not know, and might not realize the danger even after some magnets have been ingested. I only found out about the danger myself when our kids were toddlers. I had no idea at all, until I read about it in a parenting magazine. The child does not have to choke — just swallow a couple of magnets. The danger is worse than many things categorized as poison.

[zeugma]

I try not to be a nanny-stater ... but these small, powerful magnets are indeed a level above your average choking hazard because of the danger they pose. The problem, as Dr. Lew noted, is that if kids swallow two or more of these things, the magnets can clamp together inside the child, pinching various things together that should not be pinched, creating ruptures, tears, and places where gangrene can begin. The REAL problem is that unless you as a parent, grandparent, or caretaker have specifically been TOLD that this can happen, you might not know, and might not realize the danger even after some magnets have been ingested. I only found out about the danger myself when our kids were toddlers. I had no idea at all, until I read about it in a parenting magazine. The child does not have to choke — just swallow a couple of magnets. The danger is worse than many things categorized as poison.

I'm glad you try not to be a nanny-stater.Perhaps you should try harder.

The solution is to keep these things away from small children, much like we do many dangerous things like razor blades, poisons, and any number of other things.

These are NOT kids toys. The packaging clearly states that many times. Are we to remove this product from the market because some folks can't be bothered to read the clear all-caps warning labels screaming at them?