Release Date: August 29, 2024

Release Number:24-349

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers to immediately stop using and dispose of Magnetic Chess Games sold by JOMO because the loose, hazardous magnets pose a risk of serious injury or death if ingested by children.

CPSC testing determined the magnets do not comply with the requirements of the mandatory federal regulation for magnet toys.

CPSC issued a Notice of Violation to the seller, JOMO, of China, but the firm has not agreed to recall the Magnetic Chess Games or offer a remedy to consumers.

When high-powered magnets are swallowed, the ingested magnets can attract to each other, or to another metal object, and become lodged in the digestive system. This can result in perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning and death.

CPSC estimates 2,400 magnet ingestions were treated in hospital emergency departments annually from 2017 through 2021. CPSC is aware of eight deaths since 2005 through 2021 involving the ingestion of hazardous magnets, including two outside of the United States.

The games were sold in a blue box with the word “Magnetic” on the front and back of the box. The game includes about 20 loose black magnets, a yellow string, and instructions for play.  Although marketed as a chess game, it does not contain chess pieces. The magnetic games were sold online at www.walmart.com for about $15.

CPSC urges consumers to stop using the magnetic chess games immediately, take them away from children, and dispose of them or take them to your local recycling facility. Do not sell or give away these hazardous magnetic games.

Report any incidents involving injury or product defect to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov.

Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic.  Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.