Israeli Boy Suffers Severe Burns After Heating Squishy Toy in Microwave

A 10-year-old boy from southern Israel was severely burned after heating a squishy toy in a microwave, causing the toy's hot gel to explode and stick to his chest, neck, and hands. The incident led to deep burns requiring over a month of hospitalization at Sheba Medical Center's National Burn Unit, with ongoing rehabilitation and multiple surgeries expected. The boy's father described how the gel adhered to the skin and continued burning despite attempts to wash it off.

This case follows several recent reports by mako Health exposing injuries linked to squishy toys, including an 8-year-old girl who needed surgery after a bead from the toy lodged in her ear, and another child who suffered chemical burns to the eyes from the toy's liquid. These incidents have prompted the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry to launch a nationwide sampling campaign of squishy toys. Meanwhile, London authorities have begun removing thousands of "Dumplings" squishy toys from shelves after detecting benzene levels four times above the legal limit.

Dr. Moti Haratz, head of the National Burn Unit at Sheba, explained that these burns are particularly severe because the heated gel sticks to the skin and retains heat, causing deep tissue damage. He noted that the boy underwent tissue debridement under anesthesia and will require further surgeries, laser treatments, and long-term scar care. Dr. Haratz also highlighted a growing trend of burn injuries linked to viral social media challenges, with at least ten children hospitalized at any time in the unit for similar injuries.

Parents of the boy emphasized that their child was not influenced by social media trends but acted out of curiosity. They expressed concern about the unknown chemical contents of these toys and warned others of the serious risks. Medical advice for such burns includes removing any adhered material if possible, cooling the area with lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes, and seeking immediate medical attention for facial or eye injuries or deep burns.

This latest case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by squishy toys, especially when misused, and the need for increased public awareness and regulatory action.