Israeli Teen Suffers Second-Degree Burns Heating Squishy Toy in Microwave Trend

A 15-year-old girl from Hadera required medical treatment last week after sustaining second-degree burns on her hand from heating a "squishy" toy in a microwave. The girl attempted to reshape the toy by warming it, following a social media trend, but the silicone inside became dangerously hot and stuck to her skin, causing severe pain and injury.

The girl's mother described how her daughter removed the toy from the microwave without protective gloves, resulting in the burn. She warned that some similar toys contain liquids that could explode when heated, emphasizing that these materials are not designed for heating and their chemical components are unknown. The injury has left the girl unable to enjoy her summer break, with significant skin damage and ongoing pain.

Dr. Mohammad Kabha, medical director at the Northern Urgent Care Center, explained that heating such toys can cause extreme internal temperatures, serious burns, and potential explosions. He urged parents to educate children about the dangers of imitating online challenges, noting that curiosity can lead to long-term medical treatment and permanent scars.

Safety experts and burn specialists advise against heating any toys not intended for microwaves or ovens. Dr. Kabha highlighted that this incident serves as a reminder that not all online trends are harmless games.