Israeli Economy Ministry Issues Safety Warning on Squishy Toys After Injury Reports

The Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry has issued a safety warning to parents regarding the use of squishy toys for children. This follows multiple reports from Israel and abroad of injuries, including burns, linked to these products. The Ministry's Standards Supervisor released recommendations urging caution, especially for young children, despite laboratory tests so far showing no unusual findings regarding the toys' chemical safety or durability.

Currently, the Ministry is conducting inspections of various squishy toy products sold in Israel to verify compliance with the official Israeli toy safety standards. Chemical tests performed by the Standards Institute have not detected hazardous materials, and durability tests simulating normal use by children aged three and above have passed. However, the Ministry stresses that meeting safety standards does not eliminate the need for careful use, given the injury reports worldwide.

The Ministry advises parents not to allow children under three to use squishy toys due to risks of biting, swallowing, or choking on parts. They should regularly check the toys for damage such as holes or tears and discard any compromised items immediately. Exposure to extreme temperatures, including leaving toys in closed cars, microwaving, or freezing, should be avoided.

Inspectors will continue examining products from different manufacturers, and the Ministry promises immediate public alerts if any product is found to pose health or safety risks. The public is also encouraged to report suspicious toys through the Ministry's online referral form. The warning comes after incidents such as a seven-year-old girl in Jerusalem suffering burns from a squishy toy.