Severity
Moderate
ModerateActive
CPSC recall · Reported April 15, 2013
Overstock.com Recalls High-Powered Magnet Sets Due to Ingestion Hazards
When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and d…
The CPSC recalled This recall involves high-powered magnets sets with the brand name Buckyballs. The sets c… — a moderate-severity action.
Overstock.com Recalls High-Powered Magnet Sets Due to Ingestion Hazards was recalled and listed by the CPSC in April 15, 2013. Reason: When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto bod…. Remedy: Overstock.com will contact each purchasing customer directly to coordinate the recall. Co…. Verify recall #13731 with the CPSC before acting.
The recall
issued this moderate-severity CPSC recall — When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto bod….
- Moderate
- severity level
- 539 units
- affected scope
- April 15, 2013
- reported
Sourced from official CPSC enforcement records. Verify recall #13731 with the agency before acting. Full product description, hazard, remedy, and related recalls are below.
Recall Insight
This CPSC action (record #13731) was formally reported on April 15, 2013. It is classified under Moderate severity, with a current status of Active. The recalling firm is not specified in the federal record. Federal records list the affected scope as 539.
The documented reason for this recall is: When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Internal injury from magnets can p… Distribution information was not included in the agency filing, so consumers should assume broad potential exposure until the firm publishes point-of-sale details. The remedy documented by the agency is: Overstock.com will contact each purchasing customer directly to coordinate the recall. Consumers should stop using the recalled high-powered magnet sets immediately, take all associated individual ma… — consumers holding this product should act on that instruction rather than relying on general guidance.
Within the same product category the archive holds 6 closely related recalls — clustering in a narrow category often points to a systemic quality-control or supplier issue rather than a one-off defect. Always verify the recall number against the official agency record before acting.
Children & Baby Products recalls over time
Where this recall sits in its category — 3,146 children & baby products recalls on record
Where this recall sits in the database
Of 100,165 recalls in the database, 23,668 are high severity, 72,097 moderate, and 4,400 low. This recall is classified moderate severity.
Counts reflect market size and reporting activity, not inherent danger — we do not rank products by risk from raw recall volume.
Affected scope
539
Related Recalls
6
0 from same agency
Product description
This recall involves high-powered magnets sets with the brand name Buckyballs. The sets contain 216 silver-colored, spherical rare earth magnets, each about five millimeters in diameter.
Reason for recall
When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Internal injury from magnets can pose serious lifelong health effects.
Remedy — what to do
Overstock.com will contact each purchasing customer directly to coordinate the recall. Consumers should stop using the recalled high-powered magnet sets immediately, take all associated individual magnets away from children and teenagers, and contact Overstock.com for a full refund.
Recall Profile
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission |
| Severity class | Moderate |
| Status | Active |
| Recall number | 13731 |
| Date reported | April 15, 2013 |
| Date initiated | April 15, 2013 |
| Recalling firm | Not disclosed |
| Affected scope | 539 |
| Distribution | Not disclosed |
| Official source | CPSC notice → |
Profile values are sourced directly from the official CPSC enforcement record. Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
What to do with this recall
Overstock.com will contact each purchasing customer directly to coordinate the recall. Consumers should stop using the recalled h…
- Check the recall number (13731) and product description against the item you own. Search the archive
- Confirm the current status and remedy on the official CPSC notice before acting. CPSC notice
- Follow the documented remedy (refund, replacement, repair, or disposal) rather than general advice. What to do next
This page summarizes the official CPSC record for research and awareness; it is not legal, medical, or safety advice. Verify with the issuing agency before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What product was recalled? ▼
This recall involves high-powered magnets sets with the brand name Buckyballs. The sets contain 216 silver-colored, spherical rare earth magnets, each about five millimeters in diameter.. Units affected: 539.
Why was this product recalled? ▼
When two or more magnets are swallowed, they can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Internal injury from magnets can pose serious lifelong health effects.
What should consumers do? ▼
Overstock.com will contact each purchasing customer directly to coordinate the recall. Consumers should stop using the recalled high-powered magnet sets immediately, take all associated individual magnets away from children and teenagers, and contact Overstock.com for a full refund.
Which agency issued this recall? ▼
This recall was issued by the CPSC on April 15, 2013. Severity: Moderate. Recall number: 13731.
How do I check if my product is affected by a recall? ▼
Check the product description and recall number (13731) against your product. Visit the official CPSC website for the most current information. You can also use our Recall Checker tool to search by product name or brand.
How do I report an injury from a recalled product? ▼
Report injuries to the issuing agency: CPSC at SaferProducts.gov, NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem, or FDA via MedWatch. Document the product (photos, model/serial numbers, purchase receipts) and seek medical attention. Injury reports help agencies track hazard patterns and may strengthen enforcement actions.
Continue exploring
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What to do next
A step-by-step guide to refunds, repairs, and returns after a recall.
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Other recalls in the same product category — useful for spotting patterns across the same defect class or manufacturer.
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Data Sources
Source: FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA federal recall databases. This recall: CPSC, reported April 15, 2013.
- Source: FDA — Food and Drug Administration, openFDA Enforcement API (food, drug, and medical device recalls)
- Source: CPSC — Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls API (consumer product recalls and hazards)
- Source: NHTSA — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls API (vehicle safety recalls)
Recall information is sourced from official federal agency databases. Always verify recall details with the issuing agency for the most current status. This information is for research and awareness purposes only.
Every figure on PlainRecalls is rendered directly from official FDA, CPSC and NHTSA recall records — no number is typed in by an editor. Severity classes follow each agency's own taxonomy (FDA Class I/II/III; CPSC and NHTSA by hazard type), and related-recall context is computed across the full archive. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.