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 followed a social media trend aiming to reshape the toy by warming it, but the silicone inside became dangerously hot and adhered to her skin, causing severe pain and injury.

The girl's mother recounted that her daughter removed the toy from the microwave without protective gloves, resulting in immediate burns. She warned that some similar toys contain liquids that could explode when heated, emphasizing that these materials are not designed for microwave use and their chemical compositions are unknown. The injury has left the girl unable to enjoy her summer break, with significant skin damage and concerns about long-term scarring.

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

Safety experts and burn specialists also advise against heating any toys not intended for microwave use, highlighting the risk of rupture or explosion. Dr. Kabha stressed that this incident serves as a reminder that not all internet trends are harmless games.