Photo: Facebook

A Kelowna mother is warning other parents about a potentially fatal hazard.

Kandis Joanne's 7-year-old son is in hospital in Vancouver after ingesting 5 rare earth magnets on September 2nd.

These magnets come with a warning, "if multiple magnets are swallowed, they can attach to each other through intestinal walls causing serious injuries and even death."

According to a lengthy post on Joanne's social media feed she indicates, "B was sitting next to me playing with these little earth magnets, which he has done many times, he loves those things. Suddenly he starts giggling and says “mommy, I accidentally swallowed one earlier” I instantly went into a panic, and questioned his father when and how many."

After a quick trip to the emergency room in Kelowna and an x-ray, it's discovered the boy swallowed not one but five magnets.

It was determined that the boy should be transported to the Children's Hospital in Vancouver where he has been since Monday.

Doctors have been waiting to see if the magnets would pass naturally but as of Friday Joanne tells Castanet they have decided surgery is necessary to remove the magnets, "he needs a section of intestine removed as well as any intestine that was damaged.. pretty big surgery even if all goes well."

Joanne says, "the point of this message is to warn parents of the dangers of these little beads.

I just want this to be a warning. I don’t wish this on anyone!"

