Product safety reportOPSS
Magnetic Ball Construction Kit sold on AliExpress safety warning over a choking risk
Product Safety Report for magnetic ball construction kit presenting a risk of choking and internal injuries due to the presence of small parts, some of which possessed an excessively high magnetic flux level.
Remove it from the toy box or cot straight away.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
1 identifier listed for this notice.
Magnetic Ball Construction Kit sold on AliExpress
- Item or listing codeOn the box, the label, or the order page where you bought it.
- 1005003607674493
What to do now
Magnetic Ball Construction Kit sold on AliExpress has been flagged because small parts can break off.
- Remove it from the toy box or cot straight away.
- Check the floor and play areas for any parts that have already come off.
- The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
Why it matters. Children under three put things in their mouths. Anything small enough to fit through a toilet-roll tube is a choking hazard for them.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- coughing, gagging or noisy breathing after playing with it
Get help urgently
- a child who cannot breathe, cough or cry — call 999 and follow the call handler’s instructions
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme.
Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2206-0324). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for magnetic ball construction kit presenting a risk of choking and internal injuries due to the presence of small parts, some of which possessed an excessively high magnetic flux level.
The risk
The product presents a risk of choking as thirty-six magnets and thirty-two steel bars are small parts as received, which fit into the small parts cylinder. A young child may put a small part in its mouth and the parents may not notice in time, so the small part can block the child’s airways. The ten assessed magnets had a magnetic flux index of greater than the 50 kG2mm2 limit. Small, high-powered magnetic products can be easily swallowed and, when ingested, have the potential to cause serious internal injuries within the gastrointestinal tract
The product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.
OPSS has issued a Product Safety Alert for small, high-powered magnetic products which can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-alert-small-high-powered-magnetic-products-psa1
Action taken
OPSS have required the withdrawal of the product from the market. The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (AliExpress).
Advice to consumers
OPSS is requiring the withdrawal of the product from the market. The listing has been removed by the online marketplace (AliExpress).
Additional information
PSD case number: 2206-0324
Notified by: Office for Product Safety and Standards
Product description
Thirty-six cylindrical bars magnets and thirty-two ball bearings in a metal tin box
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Magnetic Ball Construction Kit sold on AliExpress been reported?
Magnetic Ball Construction Kit sold on AliExpress has been flagged because small parts can break off. Children under three put things in their mouths. Anything small enough to fit through a toilet-roll tube is a choking hazard for them.
How do I know if my product is affected?
Compare the item or listing code on your product with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the notice.
What should I do now?
Remove it from the toy box or cot straight away. Check the floor and play areas for any parts that have already come off.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
Where was Magnetic Ball Construction Kit sold on AliExpress sold?
The notice names AliExpress. Products bought elsewhere are covered too if they match the details listed.
