15-Year-Old Girl Suffers Second-Degree Burns From Heating Squishy Toy in Microwave

A 15-year-old girl from Hadera was hospitalized with second-degree burns after heating a squishy toy in a microwave, attempting to replicate a TikTok trend. The silicone-filled toy became extremely hot, and upon removing it without protective gloves, the molten silicone stuck to her hand, causing painful blisters. She was treated at Meuhedet Emergency Room in Hadera with cooling, topical ointments, bandaging, and pain relief before being discharged with instructions for ongoing care.

The girl's mother explained that the toy was filled with silicone rather than liquid, which likely prevented more severe injuries. She warned that some squishy toys contain liquid that can explode when heated, causing even more serious burns to the face, eyes, or other body parts. The mother emphasized the injury ruined her daughter's summer vacation and urged parents and children not to try dangerous social media challenges.

Dr. Hassan Jassar, a pediatric specialist at Meuhedet, described the injury as preventable and stressed that squishy toys are not designed for heating. He called on parents to educate children about the risks of imitating online trends, noting that curiosity can lead to serious pain, prolonged medical treatment, and permanent scars.

This incident adds to a series of recent cases involving squishy toys, including a 7-year-old girl treated for burns from leaking toy material, a child hospitalized for over a month after a similar microwave burn, and another child who required medical care after a squishy ball got stuck in her ear. Authorities are investigating the safety of these toys amid growing concerns about social media-driven misuse. Health officials strongly advise against heating squishy toys and urge increased parental vigilance to prevent further injuries.