Abstract: The invention is a unit that is attachable to a side face of a handle of a can opener, which unit is manually operable to engage a magnet upon the lid of a can so as to magnetically hold the lid from dropping into the contents of the can as it is cut away, and which unit is manually operable, upon the lid being cut away, to effect at the will of the user release of the hold of the magnet from the lid so as to allow the cut lid to drop for disposal from the unit and the can opener. In making use of the unit embodying the invention, the user avoids manually touching the cut lid, and in doing so he avoids soiling his fingers with the contents of the can, and avoids cutting his fingers upon the sharp edges of the cut lid.