Buckyballs High Powered Magnets Sets Recalled by Maxfield and Oberton Due to Violation of Federal Toy Standard
Home product recall 10-251. Announced by CPSC on May 27, 2010.
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The short answer
Announced by CPSC on May 27, 2010. Copied from CPSC on Oct 19, 2026.
Every line below is in CPSC’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The high powered magnets sets were labeled “Ages 13+” and do not meet the mandatory toy standard F963-08 (effective August 17, 2009) which requires that such powerful magnets are not sold for children under 14. Magnets found by young children can be swallowed or aspirated. If more than one magnet is swallowed, the magnets can attract each other and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What should you do?
Consumers should take the Buckyballs® high powered magnets sets labeled “Ages 13+” away from children under 14 immediately and contact Maxfield and Oberton for instructions on receiving a refund upon return of a complete set of magnets.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: For additional information, contact Maxfield and Oberton at (888) 847-8716 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.maxfieldandobertonsafety.com
Which ones are recalled?
This recall involves the Buckyballs® high powered magnets sets labeled “Ages 13+”. The set contains 216 powerful rare earth magnets. It is intended to build unlimited shapes and patterns. Since March 2010, Buckyballs® high powered magnets sets were labeled “Keep Away From All Children” and are not being recalled.
About 175,000 units, as CPSC gives them.
Buckyballs® High Powered Magnets Sets.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
CPSC’s photos
CPSC shows 1 photo on its notice. Hearth Record doesn’t copy them; each opens on cpsc.gov.
Who made and sold it?
- Imported by Maxfield and Oberton LLC, New York, N.Y.
- The recalled magnets were sold at a variety of stores, including stores selling children’s toys, stationery and office supplies and various online sites from March 2009 through March 2010.
- Made in China, as the notice gives it.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
Was anyone hurt?
The firm has received two reports of children swallowing one or more magnets. No injuries were reported.
CPSC, Recalls API. Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- The notice lists no UPCs, so check the model, the description and the photos.
- The notice lists no model numbers in a field of their own; its description may give them.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Recalls API.
Checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work). CPSC asks to be credited, and that no endorsement be implied.
Recalls of kids’ and home products are from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC does not endorse Hearth Record. Copied on Oct 19, 2026.