Fairfax buys a brick in the wall Aug 12, 2008
Now, after struggling to deal with a nightmarish sequence of events including the massive recall of its hot-selling Magnetix line of building sets the Bertrands' company, Mega Brands Inc., is in the throes of its own survival battle after working out a deal for an emergency infusion of capital. The Montreal toy maker said Monday that it has reached an agreement with Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. that would see the Toronto-based insurer invest $64-million in the form of a private placement of... (Globe and Mail)
• 870,000 magnetic dart toys recalled by regulators Apr 9, 2008
Kenny Sweet, a suburban Seattle toddler, died, and dozens of other children suffered life-threatening intestinal injuries after swallowing aspirin-size magnets that came loose from Magnetix building sets. The series prompted congressional hearings and legislation to overhaul the CPSC. Last month, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the most sweeping reform of the CPSC in a generation. (FOX59, IN)
Consumer Alert: Magnetic Toy Recall Mar 26, 2008
8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets because one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in the toys. Monday's recalled products were sold at toy stores around the country, including Wal-Mart, Target, Toys "R" Us and Kmart between January 2005 and December 2007. (KLAS-TV)
News highlights Mar 22, 2008
8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets because one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in the toys. In April 2007, the recall was expanded to include an additional 4 million Mega Brands magnetic toys. (OregonLive, OR -- Business)
Timing couldn't be worse for Mega Brands Mar 22, 2008
2-million (U.S.) first-quarter charge to cope with a sweeping global recall of Magnetix line of building sets. Nov. 9, 2007. (Globe and Mail)
Mega Brands issues new toy recall Mar 19, 2008
The recall comes as Mega Brands struggles to recover from a massive recall in 2006, launched after one child died and numerous others were reported to be injured by swallowing magnets that came loose from the company's Magnetix building sets. In total, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries related to the building sets ... The company had redesigned its building sets, embedding the magnets in large pieces of plastic so... (Globe and Mail)
2.4 million toys recalled for risk of internal damage Mar 18, 2008
8 million Magnetix magnetic building sets because one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in the toys. About a year later, in April 2007, this recall was expanded to include an additional 4 million Mega Brands magnetic toys. (MSNBC -- Health)
• 2.4 million more dangerous toys recalled Mar 18, 2008
Mega Brands had sent some of the toys recalled Monday to consumers as presumably safe replacements for Magnetix building sets recalled as a deadly hazard in 2006 and 2007 ... Kenny Sweet, a suburban Seattle toddler, died, and dozens of other children suffered life-threatening intestinal injuries after swallowing aspirin-size magnets that came loose from Magnetix building sets. (FOX59, IN)
Maker Recalls 2.4M Magnet Toys Mar 17, 2008
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said that magnets in the small flexible parts of the animals, vehicles and building sets can detach. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or inhaled. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Magnetic Building Toys Recalled Mar 15, 2008
The building sets were sold online and at stores around the country between July 2005 and February 2008. Details: by phone at 800-247-6144; by Web at or. (KIRO TV, WA)
Consumer Alert: Toy recalled as safety hazard Feb 27, 2008
As MASSPIRG reported in the November 2007 Trouble in Toyland survey, toys, building sets, and children's jewelry now use tiny, extremely powerful "rare-earth" magnets that pose a serious risk to children, especially when poor design leads to them falling out of the toys. According to a new CPSC bulletin, magnet toys are number one on the "List of Deadly Dangers." CPSC reports that at least 86 injuries and one known death have occurred, and 8 million units of magnetic toys, including popular... (Danvers Herald, MA)
Slain Editor Bailey Among George Polk Award Winners Feb 19, 2008
"The newspaper's accounts of children suffering injury and death from exposure to dangerously designed magnetic building sets, lead-tainted toys and defective cribs led to massive product recalls and heightened public awareness of the dangers posed by these widely sold items.". The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, which will win the George Polk Award for Economic Reporting for a yearlong series on the community's high rate of housing foreclosures. (MediaWeek.com)
K'NEX Partners With TOMY for Distribution in Germany Feb 19, 2008
The agreement, which goes into effect May 1, 2008, includes K'NEX and KID K'NEX branded building sets. K'NEX can be found at Booth 469 at Toy Fair through February 20 at the Jacob K. Javits Center. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Safety concerns set to dominate New York toy fair Feb 16, 2008
Montreal-based Mega, Canada's largest toy maker, said it teamed with London testing firm Intertek Group to craft magnetic building sets featuring embedded magnets and parts that cannot be swallowed. A Magnetix recall began in 2006 and expanded into 2007 as one child died and 27 suffered serious intestinal injuries from swallowing small, powerful magnets. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
EU plans tighter safety after recalls of lethal Chinese toys Jan 26, 2008
8m Mega Brands magnetic building sets, after scares over toxic paint and loose magnets, and reports of children choking on small toys sold attached to sweets. In the US the toys chain Toys'R'Us recalled 27,000 sets of paints and crayons after discovering that the wooden boxes had high lead levels. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Building Sets Recalled Over Magnet Fears Jan 24, 2008
Maker Recalls 125,000 Magnet Building Sets - Family News Story - KPRC Houston ... Battat Inc. recalled about 125,000 Magnabuild magnetic building sets because magets can fall out ... Maker Recalls 125,000 Magnet Building Sets. (Click2Houston, TX)
Chinese-made Battat toy magnet sets recalled in U.S. Jan 24, 2008
WASHINGTON About 125,000 magnetic toy building sets made in China and sold by Battat were recalled because the magnets could fall out and be swallowed by children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday. Each of the toy Magnabild sets included small magnetic rods, metal balls, triangles and squares for children to create designs. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Fashion Blog Dec 21, 2007
In order to post on any of our blogs you must first with a log-in and valid email address and we encourage you to create a profile (). Affordable luxuries for the holidays at tiniest store in Portsmouth. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
TRUE STORIES Dec 17, 2007
Inside there were not only all-wood Frontier Log, aka Lincoln Log, building sets but also wooden baseball games, bowling sets and more. Not the least of which was a variation of the old Tinkertoy collection called Fiddlestix. (SunOnline)
Boy, 10, wins $10,000 for dragon roller coaster he made Dec 8, 2007
The boy, who first started playing with building sets when he was 4, was one of thousands of children ages 6 to 12 who entered the annual contest. Ian began the project last summer, using 6,000 plastic parts from his collection of 15,000 to assemble the roller coaster, which runs through the body of a dragon. (AZCentral -- News)
Toy safety tips Nov 25, 2007
Look for them, especially in toy building sets. Lead - Check recall notices online at the Consumer Products Safety Commission Web site. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Best Holiday Gifts Are Online At chapters.indigo.ca Nov 22, 2007
99 and for kids of any age, find the best-loved toys from Alex brand arts and crafts to Zoob building sets in the Toys Boutique. Christmas shopping at delivers the best holiday gifts and free shipping on orders $39 or more. (Primezone Releases)
Unsafe toys still available Nov 19, 2007
Small, powerful rare-earth magnets have become popular, turning up in building sets, jewelry and even a Barbie pet pooper scooper. They also prompted many of the recent toy recalls because once swallowed, they can tear or block internal organs and even cause death. (Scranton Times, PA)
Parents turning to test kits to check items for lead Nov 11, 2007
In April, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the owner of Rose Art Industries, announced an expanded recall of Magnetix building sets due to one death, one aspiration and 27 intestinal injuries in children who swallowed tiny, powerful magnets that can attract each other inside the intestines. And just this week, the CPSC and Canadian toy company Spin Master announced a voluntary recall of Aqua Dots, another Chinese-made toy, due to a coating on the small craft beads that contains a... (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Commmunity Briefs 10-06-07 Oct 6, 2007
RACINE Do you love acting, doing stage makeup, building sets or just scaring the pants off people. Then the Racine Family YMCA needs you. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
Toys: Hard-to-find U.S. product no laughing matter for parents Oct 5, 2007
As an example, he points to small magnets in earlier versions of the Magnetix building sets that killed one child and injured dozens of others so badly they needed surgery. No one anticipated that magnets "would stick together" and cause blockages in children's stomachs, he says. (USA Today -- Money)
Toy-makers play the blame game Sep 17, 2007
Before Jake's death there was the mass recall of Magnetix Magnetic Building Sets, owned by Mega Brands, after steel magnetic balls had caused one death and 27 cases of lung and intestinal damage requiring emergency surgery. Most recently it was the world's biggest toy company, Mattel. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
There's nothing new about toy recalls Sep 8, 2007
More recently, in March 2006, Magnetix building sets were recalled after it was discovered that some children had swallowed the small magnets inside the building pieces. One death and four serious injuries were attributed to the toy. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Toy recall not a problem for local businesses Aug 22, 2007
Rokenbok, a California-based maker of toy construction equipment and building sets, sent a fax to its dealers (including Barrett) outlining its checks and balances for ensuring its toys are safe. People are coming in and asking for things that are safe for babies to put in their mouths, she said. (Helena Independent Record)
Another Big Recall May Hit Mattel Aug 16, 2007
8 million building sets that had been sold for nearly three years at locations that included big-name retailers like Inc., Inc. and Toys "R" Us Inc. ... 5 million for 14 families of young children harmed by the building sets. (Wall Street Journal)
Tracking the hazards Aug 15, 2007
July 5: Kipp Brothers Toys and Novelties recalls about 800 of its Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets because magnets could detach and cause intestinal perforation or blockage. June 13: recalls about 1. (Boston Globe)
Mattel defends steps to ensure safety of its toys amid the latest worldwide recall Aug 15, 2007
--About 800 Mag Stix magnetic building sets, distributed by Kipp Brothers and recalled July 5 ... 8 million Magnetix building sets, imported by Rose Art Industries Inc. (new owner is Mega Brands Inc.) and recalled March 31, 2006. (North County Times)
Trouble in toy land: Mattel reels as millions more toys join recall Aug 15, 2007
Mattel's stellar reputation tainted - USATODAY.com. Real solutions for your real estate needs. (USA Today -- Money)
UPDATE 1-Mega Brands profit falls slightly Aug 11, 2007
The Montreal-based company has been grappling with an expensive recall of its Magnetix building sets. One child died and 27 have suffered serious intestinal injuries after swallowing some of the small, powerful magnets in the toys. (Reuters.uk)
Mega Brands profit dips Aug 10, 2007
Mega Brands has conducted two global recalls of Magnetix products, the second prompted by confusion about the safety of the building sets, which have been blamed for the death of one child and injuries to several others who swallowed its powerful magnets. No new cases have been reported. (Toronto Star)
How to prevent lead poisoning at home Aug 9, 2007
In March of 2006, Mega Brands Inc. recalled more than three million Magnetix magnetic building sets after one child died and four others were seriously injured after swallowing tiny magnets in them. Why should parents worry about lead. (Wahpeton Daily News, ND)
Recall of China-made toys unnerves concerned parents Aug 3, 2007
July 5: Kipp Brothers Mag Stix magnetic building sets. Serious intestinal injury. (USA Today -- Money)
U.S. Recalls Three More Toys Made in China Jul 7, 2007
Additionally, 800 Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets sold by , Ind. and 68,000 Shape Sorting Toy Castles sold by Infantino LLC, of San Diego were pulled because they posed choking hazards to young children. (Fox News)
Every Washington product warning so far this month from Asian giant Jul 6, 2007
Magnet toys that could perforate your child's intestines: About 800 Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets were recalled by the CPSC, which found the plastic sticks can be swallowed or aspirated. The agency found one 8-year-old girl was hospitalized after swallowing loose magnets. (WorldNetDaily)
U.S. recalls Chinese-made products for children Jul 6, 2007
800 Mag Stix Magnetic Building Sets sold by Kipp Brothers, of Carmel, Indiana. Small magnets inside the plastic sticks can fall out and could be dangerous if swallowed, the safety agency said. (USA Today -- Money)
Tiny magnets in toys can pose big danger to tots Jun 18, 2007
prompted the first voluntary recall of Magnetix building sets. Kenny Sweet died on Thanksgiving Day in 2005 after swallowing eight magnets that had fallen out of his brother's building set. (USA Today)
Toy recall pushes Mega Brands to $23.9-million loss May 18, 2007
2-million charge for the partial recall of Magnetix building sets blamed in a child's choking death. For the quarter ended March 31, the loss amounted to 73 cents a diluted share, compared with earnings of two cents per share a year earlier, the Montreal-based company said Friday. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Bush nominee for product safety panel coming under fire May 17, 2007
8 million Magnetix building sets in March 2006, but recently expanded that recall to include another 4 million boxes, with notices that confused many consumers and retailers. The National Association of Manufacturers, billing itself as "the voice of the manufacturing economy," is the largest trade association for manufacturers, and its members employ 14 million workers. (FOX59, IN)
Hit to Mega Brands expected May 17, 2007
Magnetix is a popular line of magnet-based building sets that Mega Brands inherited when it bought Rose Art Industries Inc. of New Jersey two years ago. Indeed, Magnetix was cited by Mega Brands as one of the key reasons for the Rose Art acquisition. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Recalled magnetic toys still in stores May 12, 2007
Gen. Lisa Madigan found potentially hazardous versions of Magnetix building sets on store shelves in the Chicago, Springfield, Peoria and Carbondale areas ... 8 million Magnetix building sets on March 31, 2006. (FOX59, IN)
Some stores in Illinois selling recalled toys May 11, 2007
8 million Magnetix building sets on March 31, 2006. Last month the agency expanded that recall to include another 4 million boxes, but the recall notice confused many consumers and retailers. (FOX59, IN)
Major retailers pull magnet toy May 8, 2007
Toys "R" Us Inc. said it was halting Internet sales and clearing store shelves of the magnetic building sets. Online retailers Amazon, eToys and KBtoys. (Orlando Sentinel -- Business)
Recall expanded for Magnetix magnetic building sets Apr 20, 2007
Recall expanded for Magnetix building sets ... Recall expanded for Magnetix building sets ... Montreal-based Mega Brands Inc. expanded a recall of its Magnetix magnetic building sets on Thursday, about a year after a number of young children swallowed loose parts from the toys. (CBC News)
Magnetic Toy Set Recall Expanded Apr 20, 2007
(April 19, 2007)--A recall of some toy magnetic building sets has been expanded after more children swallowed the tiny magnets in the set and were seriously injured. The expanded recall of the Magnetix building sets was announced Thursday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. (KWTX.com, TX)
1st Kuwaiti woman MP sworn in Apr 20, 2007
A Montreal company has expanded a recall of its Magnetix magnetic building sets, about a year after a number of young children swallowed loose parts from the toys. An NDP private member's bill to stop banks from charging fees for basic services at ABMs doesn't appear to be attracting much support from the government. (Yahoo News -- Kuwait)
MEGA Brands renews replacement program Apr 19, 2007
MONTREAL, April 19 /CNW Telbec/ - MEGA Brands Inc. (TSE: MB) endorses efforts to promote safe play experiences with magnetic toys and takes this opportunity to remind consumers of its replacement program for Magnetix building sets originally announced on March 31, 2006. The extended program, announced jointly today with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC"), is intended for consumers and covers sets sold before March 31, 2006. (Canada Newswire)
Dora the Explorer Takes the Lead as Sales Growth Elevates Property to Megabrand Status as Number One Toy License in 2006 Feb 9, 2007
In 2007, the franchise will hit new heights with added products and play patterns including make-believe dress-up, role play and building sets ... -- Talking Friendship Adventures Dora: Every preschool girl can have a "same size" friend with the new life-sized 34" tall doll who can speak 70 bilingual interactive phrases. -- Dora Friendship Adventure Game (For Smart Cycle(TM)): A Dora focused adventure and environment for Fisher-Price's new Smart Cycle, which encourages an active, healthy... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Product Recall / Where to go,what to do Jan 30, 2007
The MagneBlocks magnetic building sets were sold from January 2004 through November 2006 for between $20 and $120, depending on the size of the set. Sets currently for sale have improved warning labels. (Buffalo News -- Business)
