2023.08.23 Safety Report: Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons

23 August 2023

The following notice has been issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons

This Product Safety Alert notifies consumers and businesses that certain types of magnetic reusable water balloons currently being sold present a risk of severe injury or death. This alert follows a previous Product Safety Alert from 2021 highlighting the risks posed by small, high-powered magnetic products.

Under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, toys must be safe before they can be placed on the market. For toys that contain small, accessible magnets, the acceptable maximum level of magnetic flux index (the measure of magnetic force used in toys) is set out in the Toy Safety Standard EN71-1.

Risk summary
OPSS is aware that some magnetic reusable water balloons being sold are unsafe, as they contain accessible magnets with a magnetic flux index that exceeds the acceptable level for this type of product.

All magnets have the potential to be dangerous when swallowed, as they can cause severe internal injuries and death. Further information about the hazard of magnet ingestion is contained in the Risk Summary published by OPSS in 2021.

OPSS recommends that the acceptable maximum level of magnetic flux index set in the Toy Safety Standard EN71 should be applied to any products where there is a risk the magnets may be ingested by a child.

Consumers, local authority Trading Standards services and businesses are asked to be alert to the potential dangers of accessible magnets in reusable water balloons and take action, where appropriate, as advised below.

Advised Action

Consumers

If you possess reusable water balloons with accessible magnets, stop using the products and dispose of them safely, keeping them away from children
Be aware of signs that could indicate accidental ingestion in children, like vomiting and stomach pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you believe a magnet has been swallowed
Contact the seller you purchased the product from, as you may be entitled to a refund under consumer protection regulations

Businesses

Must comply with their obligations under product safety law
Must remove from the market reusable water balloons containing accessible small magnets that exceed the magnetic flux index set in Standard EN71, or which otherwise breach the safety requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011
Must take all reasonable precautions to minimise risk and demonstrate due diligence, for example, by performing risk assessments
Must ensure that clear warnings are included with any products that contain magnets, where there is a risk of ingestion

Local Authority Trading Standards and Environmental Health in Northern Ireland

Should identify and take appropriate action against businesses selling reusable water balloons with accessible magnets that exceed the magnetic flux index set in Standard EN71, or otherwise fail to comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

Additional Information and Resources

Consumer Safety Alert Poster

News Story