The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a voluntary recall of Crayola’s pip‑Cubes magnetic building set after discovering that the tiny magnets inside the blocks can detach and become a serious choking risk for children.
According to the CPSC, the magnets are small enough to be swallowed whole. If a child ingests one or more of these magnets, they can attract each other across intestinal walls, potentially causing perforations, infections, or even death. The agency emphasizes that any magnet that can be removed from the toy presents an immediate danger.
Since the product’s launch, several incidents have been documented in which children under five years old suffered injuries after swallowing the magnets. In one case, a child required emergency surgery to remove the magnets from the abdomen.
Stop using the product immediately. Parents and guardians are instructed to locate the original packaging, verify the product’s UPC ( 950500 001123 ), and follow the recall instructions provided by Crayola. Refunds or replacements will be offered at no cost.
Crayola’s spokesperson expressed deep concern for the affected families and pledged full cooperation with the CPSC. “We are committed to the safety of our customers and are taking swift action to remove the affected units from the market,” the statement read.
Consumers can return the recalled pip‑Cubes to any participating retailer or contact Crayola’s customer service line at 1‑800‑555‑1234 for a prepaid shipping label. The company advises retaining the receipt as proof of purchase.
Experts recommend keeping all magnetic toys out of reach of children under three years old and regularly inspecting toys for loose parts. If a magnet is suspected to have been swallowed, seek medical attention immediately, even if the child appears fine.