10-Year-Old Hospitalized With Severe Burns After Heating Squishy Toy in Microwave

A 10-year-old boy from southern Israel suffered severe burns after heating a squishy toy in a microwave, causing the toy's hot gel to explode onto his chest, neck, and hands. The incident led to deep burns requiring over a month of hospitalization at Sheba Medical Center, where he is expected to undergo prolonged rehabilitation including surgeries and laser treatments. The boy's father described how the gel stuck to his son's skin and continued burning, necessitating extensive medical care.

This case follows multiple recent reports by mako Health about injuries caused by squishy toys, including chemical burns and embedded beads in children’s ears. In response, Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry has launched a nationwide sampling campaign of these 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 Israel’s National Burn Unit at Sheba, explained that the burns from heated squishy toys are particularly dangerous because the gel adheres to the skin and retains heat, causing deeper tissue damage than typical hot water burns. He noted that such injuries, often linked to viral social media trends, are becoming more frequent, with at least ten children hospitalized at any time for similar burns.

The boy’s parents emphasized that their son was not influenced by social media challenges but acted out of curiosity. They initially hesitated to publicize the case, fearing it might encourage imitation, but stressed the importance of awareness about the hidden dangers of these seemingly harmless toys. Medical experts advise immediate cooling of affected areas and urgent medical evaluation for serious burns, especially when the face or eyes are involved.