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Ingesting more than one magnet can cause significant damage in hours if not removed.
They fuse in the intestines or bowels, squeezing tissue and cutting off blood supply.
At least 65 children have been admitted to hospital for urgent surgery in England after swallowing magnets in the past three years.
A ban on small magnetic toys is being called for by the NHS after dozens of children swallowed them and needed life-saving surgery. Ingesting more than one magnet can cause significant damage in hours if not removed. (File image)
The NHS has issued a national patient safety alert advising every hospital and GP that these cases should be treated as an emergency.
UK Safety Alert issued for small high-powered magnetic products gov.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gov.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.