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Grandpa bought some similar powerful magnets in the Grand Canyon gift shop and gave them to my two year old when I wasn't looking. So sure, he and I were both

Grandpa bought some similar powerful magnets in the Grand Canyon gift shop and gave them to my two year old when I wasn't looking. So sure, he and I were both being negligent. But it also seems like a dangerous set up.

anigbrowl 10y ago
There's no but here. Grandpa was negligent and put a small child's safety at risk because he ignored the risk warnings on the product in favor of an assumption that 'anything sold in a gift shop must be safe.' I don't want to be rude about your parent but the liability is squarely on him (and you, insofar as you left your child in his risk-indifferent custody). I don't mean to attack you personally in any way, but if you have an awareness that such things as small powerful magnets exist and can imagine what the risks would be, how is it not your job as a parent to be on the lookout for that? You manage to be on the lookout for all sorts of other risks that exist in your household - drowning, fire, chemicals, sharp objects, and so on. I do not believe that adding an awareness of magnets (which are generally pretty easy to identify because of their magnetic properties causing them to stick to metallic surfaces or each other) causes some unacceptably large burden. You've known what magnets are since you were a small child. You are almost certainly easily able to distinguish between a bunch of magnetic balls and a bunch of non-magnetic ball bearings by simply looking at them. How is it not your responsibility to use that knowledge?
- smokey_the_bear 10y ago
  There was not a warning on the packaging. I am glad you are a perfect parent, it is very lucky for you and your children. Congratulations!
  - anigbrowl 10y ago
    I find that hard to believe without a photograph, and even if it were true the intense nature of the magnetic force is self-evident. Common sense mitigates against giving any small non-food objects to a 2-year old. I never claimed to be a perfect parent (nice attempt at misdirection there). But I don't try to hold other people responsible for the decisions I make. When people with kids visit me or leave their kids in my care then their safety is my primary responsibility and I'm willing to accept that.

anigbrowl 10y ago

There's no but here. Grandpa was negligent and put a small child's safety at risk because he ignored the risk warnings on the product in favor of an assumption that 'anything sold in a gift shop must be safe.' I don't want to be rude about your parent but the liability is squarely on him (and you, insofar as you left your child in his risk-indifferent custody). I don't mean to attack you personally in any way, but if you have an awareness that such things as small powerful magnets exist and can imagine what the risks would be, how is it not your job as a parent to be on the lookout for that? You manage to be on the lookout for all sorts of other risks that exist in your household - drowning, fire, chemicals, sharp objects, and so on. I do not believe that adding an awareness of magnets (which are generally pretty easy to identify because of their magnetic properties causing them to stick to metallic surfaces or each other) causes some unacceptably large burden. You've known what magnets are since you were a small child. You are almost certainly easily able to distinguish between a bunch of magnetic balls and a bunch of non-magnetic ball bearings by simply looking at them. How is it not your responsibility to use that knowledge?

smokey_the_bear 10y ago
There was not a warning on the packaging. I am glad you are a perfect parent, it is very lucky for you and your children. Congratulations!
- anigbrowl 10y ago
  I find that hard to believe without a photograph, and even if it were true the intense nature of the magnetic force is self-evident. Common sense mitigates against giving any small non-food objects to a 2-year old. I never claimed to be a perfect parent (nice attempt at misdirection there). But I don't try to hold other people responsible for the decisions I make. When people with kids visit me or leave their kids in my care then their safety is my primary responsibility and I'm willing to accept that.