Urgent Toy Alert: Crayola Building Blocks Recalled Over Hidden Magnet Danger

There's nothing quite like watching a child's imagination soar, piecing together colorful blocks to create their next masterpiece. But sometimes, a seemingly innocent plaything can harbor a hidden danger. That's precisely the situation with a recent recall impacting thousands of popular Crayola Building Blocks sets, where a quiet threat of detachable magnets could lead to serious, even life-threatening, internal injuries.

Eveready, the company licensing the Crayola name for these particular toys, has issued a voluntary recall for approximately 83,800 units sold right here in the U.S., along with another 5,200 in Canada. The core issue? Those small, powerful magnets embedded within the building cubes have a nasty habit of coming loose. And while no injuries have been reported specifically with these Crayola blocks, the potential for harm, especially if multiple magnets are ingested, is incredibly high.

It's one of those silent threats, really, that can escalate quickly. If a child swallows more than one magnet, these tiny metallic pieces can attract each other across intestinal walls, creating blockages, perforations, or even twisting the bowel. We've seen tragic outcomes from similar magnet recalls in the past – incidents that can require emergency surgery and, in the most severe cases, have led to permanent injury or even death. It’s a stark reminder that even the most playful items can sometimes hide a grave risk.

So, what exactly are we looking for? These are the magnetic building cubes, often featuring the 'Crayola' name printed directly on them. They're about 1.25 inches on each side, come in a rainbow of 10 different colors, and were sold in 20-piece sets. You might recall buying them online from places like Amazon.com or Walmart.com, or perhaps picked them up at a Walmart store, Macy's, or BJ's Wholesale Club. They typically retailed for about $20 to $30. For specific identification, check for model number 203023 and UPC 6-04576-16147-3.

What's a parent to do, you might wonder? The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Eveready are urging consumers to immediately take these recalled building blocks away from children. This isn't a wait-and-see situation; it's an act-now situation. Your next step is to contact Eveready for a full refund and clear instructions on how to return the product safely.

Reaching out to Eveready is straightforward: you can call them toll-free at 800-410-9400, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. If email is more your style, you can reach them at crayola.recall@eveready.com. Alternatively, head online to www.eveready.com/products/recalls and click on the prominently displayed “Crayola Building Blocks Recall” link. It’s a simple but crucial step to ensure the safety and well-being of the little ones in your life.