Neodymium Magnets Safety and Handling Tips

Neodymium magnets are the strongest, most powerful magnets on earth and the surprisingly strong force between them may catch you off guard at first.

Please review this checklist to help you handle these magnets properly and avoid potentially serious personal injuries, as well as damage to the magnets themselves.

Neodymium magnets can jump together, pinch the skin and cause serious injuries.

Neodymium magnets will leap and slam together from several inches to several feet apart. If you have a finger in the way, it can get severely pinched or even broken. We strongly recommend sliding magnets apart rather than trying to pull them off the stack. For more handling tips, please refer to our Separating Neodymium Magnets page.

Neodymium magnets are brittle – and can easily shatter and break.

Neodymium magnets are brittle and will peel, chip, crack or shatter if allowed to slam together, even from just a few inches apart. Despite being made of metal and coated with a shiny nickel-plating, they are not as hard as steel.

Shattering magnets can send small sharp metal pieces into the air at great speeds. Eye protection is recommended.

Keep neodymium magnets away from all children.

Neodymium magnets are not toys. Do not allow children to handle or play with them. Small magnets can pose a serious choking hazard. If multiple magnets are swallowed, they can attach to each other through intestinal walls causing serious injuries and even death.

Keep neodymium magnets away from anyone with a pacemaker.

Neodymium magnets create strong magnetic fields around them, which can interfere with pacemakers, ICDs and other implanted medical devices. This is because many of these devices are made with a feature that deactivates the device in a magnetic field.

Keep neodymium magnets away from magnetic media.

The strong magnetic fields emanating from neodymium magnets can damage magnetic media such as credit cards, magnetic ID cards, cassette tapes, video tapes or other such devices. They can also damage older televisions, VCRs, computer monitors and CRT displays.

Keep neodymium magnets away from your GPS and smartphone.

Magnetic fields interfere with compasses or magnetometers used in navigation for air and sea transport, as well as the internal compasses of smartphone and GPS devices.

Avoid contact with neodymium magnets if you have a nickel allergy.

Studies show a small percentage of people suffer from an allergy to some metals including nickel. The allergic reaction is often manifested in redness and a skin rash. If you have a nickel allergy, try wearing gloves or avoid directly handling nickel-plated neodymium magnets.

Neodymium magnets can become demagnetized at high temperatures.

While magnets have been proven to retain their effectiveness up to 80°C or 176°F, this temperature may vary depending on the grade, shape and application of the particular magnet. For more information about high temperature grade magnets, please refer to our Neodymium Magnet Grades specification page.

Neodymium magnet dust and powder are flammable.

Avoid drilling or machining neodymium magnets. When ground into a dust or powder, this material is highly flammable.

Neodymium magnets can corrode.

Most of our magnets are finished with a nickel plating, and this coating provides enough protection for most applications. But remember, neodymium magnets are not waterproof. They will rust or corrode in the presence of moisture. If used underwater, outdoors or in a moist environment, they can corrode and lose magnetic strength. For more information about the types of coatings available, please refer to our Neodymium Magnet Coatings page.

Recommendations on Handling Neodymium Magnets Safely

Wear eye protection and work gloves (if necessary) when working with magnets.
Pay close attention when you are separating or handling magnets.
To separate magnets, grasp the outside magnet, slide it off the stack and pull it away quickly.
Work on a metal table or surface, so that magnets stay where you set them and don’t jump together.
When you have magnets in both hands, remember to keep your hands far apart.
Do not drill or machine neodymium magnets.
Seek immediate medical attention for any serious injuries.
Neodymium magnets will retain their magnetism and integrity for decades when handled, utilized and protected properly.