SLATE: Mattel, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling about 2.4 million Polly Pocket magnetic play sets sold in the United States. An additional 2 million magnetic play sets were sold worldwide.
VIDEO: Children playing with the recalled Polly Pocket toys. closeup of child playing with the toy. Closeup of toy.
SLATE: Tiny magnets inside the Polly Pocket dolls and accessories can fall out undetected by parents and caregivers. The magnets can be swallowed, aspirated by young children or placed by a child in their nose or ears.
SLATE: When more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforation, infection or blockage, which can be fatal. Aspiration to the lungs requires immediate surgery. Magnets placed in the nose or ears can cause swelling and be difficult to remove.
VIDEO: Child holding Polly Pocket in which magnet has fallen out. Show where magnet was located. Shot of magnet in child’s hand to show the magnets size. Show force with which the magnets are attracted to each other and other metal objects.
SLATE: CPSC is aware of 170 reports of the small magnets coming out of these recalled toys. There were three reports of serious injuries to children who swallowed more than one magnet. All three suffered intestinal perforations that required surgery. A 2-year-old child was hospitalized for seven days and a 7-year-old child was hospitalized for 12 days. An 8-year-old child was also hospitalized.
SLATE: The recalled Polly Pocket play sets contain plastic dolls and accessories that have small magnets. The magnets measure 1/8 inch in diameter and are imbedded in the hands and feet of some dolls, and in the plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories to help the pieces attach to the doll or to the doll’s house.
SLATE: The model number is printed on the bottom of the largest pieces on some of the play sets. Contact Mattel if you cannot find a model number on your product to determine if it is part of the recall. Polly Pocket magnetic play sets currently on store shelves are not included in this recall.
VIDEO: Shot of a different recalled Polly Pocket magnetic play set. Closeup of a magnet in a doll and how a magnetic doll stands on the metal portion of the home via its magnet. Shots of magnets in the hands and feet of dolls, and in plastic clothing, hair pieces and other accessories. Have child show how they attach to the doll or the house. Turn product over and show the model number.
SLATE: The following Polly Pocket magnetic play set models are included in this recall:
Polly Pocket! Polly Place Hangin’-Out House B2632
Polly Pocket! Polly Place Treetop Clubhouse B3158
Polly Pocket! Spa Day B3201
Polly Pocket! Polly Place Totally Tiki Diner B7118
SLATE: The following Polly Pocket magnetic play set models are also included in this recall:
Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik Boutique G8605
Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik City Pretty Playset H1537
Polly Pocket! Quik-Clik Sporty Style Playset H1538
Polly Pocket! Totally Zen™ Playset H3211
VIDEO: All the models shown together, pan among the models to show them individually. Show photos of the models we don’t have. Children playing with the recalled toys.
SLATE: The recalled Polly Pocket magnetic play sets were sold at discount department stores and toy stores from May 2003 through September 2006 for between $15 and $30.
Consumers should immediately take these recalled toys away from children and contact Mattel to arrange for the return of the sets and to receive a voucher for a replacement toy of the customer’s choice, up to the value of the returned product.
For additional information, contact Mattel at (888) 597-6597 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.service.mattel.com.
SOUNDBITES: Nancy Nord, Acting Chairman, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
These toys have small magnets that can fall out and if ingested can cause serious injuries to children. In fact, three children swallowed magnets from these toys and suffered intestinal perforations that required surgery.
New technology has made magnets smaller yet stronger. While they may make the toy very appealing, parents need to be aware that if swallowed, magnets can be deadly.
SPANISH SOUNDBITES: Arlene Flecha, Comision para la Seguridad de los Productos de Consumo de los Estados Unidos
Estos juguetes tienen imanes pequeños que pueden desprenderse y causar lesiones serias a los niños. De hecho, tres niños se tragaron los imanes de estos juguetes y sufrieron perforaciones intestinales que requirieron cirugía.
Nueva tecnologías han hecho que los imanes sean más pequeños y más fuertes. Auque los imanes hacen que los juguetes sean muy atractivos, los padres tienen que saber que si un niño se los traga ésto pueden ser mortal.
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