CPSC Warns Consumers of Hazardous Magnetic Chess Games

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a warning to consumers about the dangers of Lihailidebeimeidianpu’s Magnetic Chess Games. The CPSC has found that these games contain hazardous magnets that pose a serious risk of injury or death if ingested by children.

According to CPSC testing, the magnets in the chess games do not comply with federal regulations for magnet toys. The magnets are too strong and can easily fit within CPSC’s small parts cylinder, making them a choking hazard for young children.

When swallowed, these high-powered magnets can attract to each other or to other metal objects in the digestive system, leading to serious complications such as perforations, blockages, infections, and even death. CPSC estimates that there have been 2,400 magnet ingestions treated in hospital emergency departments from 2017 to 2021, with eight reported deaths since 2005.

Despite issuing a Notice of Violation to the seller, Lihailidebeimeidianpu of China, the firm has not agreed to recall the Magnetic Chess Games or provide a remedy to consumers. The games were sold in a blue box labeled “Magnetic” and included loose black magnets, a yellow string, a plastic drawstring storage bag, and instructions for play. They were sold online for around $9 on Amazon.

CPSC is urging consumers to immediately stop using the magnetic chess games, take them away from children, and dispose of them properly. Any incidents involving injury or product defects should be reported to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this issue, which can be found on the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov/commissioners. Stay informed and stay safe.