CPSC Warns Consumers of Hazardous Magnetic Chess Game by Newish Trade Inc.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a warning to consumers about the dangers of Newish Trade Inc.’s Kidbro Magnetic Chess Game. The CPSC has found that the magnets in the game are hazardous and pose a serious risk of injury or death if ingested by children.

According to CPSC testing, the magnets in the game 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. If swallowed, these 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.

The CPSC estimates that there have been 2,400 magnet ingestions treated in hospital emergency departments from 2017 through 2021, with eight reported deaths since 2005. Despite issuing a Notice of Violation to Newish Trade Inc., the company has not agreed to recall the Magnetic Chess Game or offer a remedy to consumers.

The game was sold in a blue box labeled with the words “Magnetic”, “Magnetic Effect Chess”, and “Intelligence Strategy Game”. It includes loose black magnets, a blue foam game board, a yellow string, and a clear plastic storage bag. The CPSC believes the game was sold online for around $13 on www.amazon.com.

Consumers are urged to immediately stop using the magnetic chess game, take it away from children, and dispose of it properly. Any incidents involving injury or product defects should be reported to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

For more information and statements from individual Commissioners, visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners. Stay safe and informed about this important product safety issue.