Several children have sustained severe burns after taking part in a social media trend to heat ‘squishy’ toys in the microwave, with some needing surgery including skin grafts
Medical professionals are raising the alarm over the dangers of a trend involving heating “squishy” toys in the microwave, after a number of children sustained serious burns.
Clips spreading across social media show the toys, which are soft and pliable, being warmed up to make them even more malleable. However, experts caution that this causes pressure to build up inside the toy, heightening the risk of it exploding and releasing scalding hot gel that can adhere to the skin and cause severe injuries.
The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) in Glasgow has treated six children with injuries linked to the trend over the past eight months, with some requiring surgery including skin grafts.
Among those hurt was eight year old Joseph Erskine, from Clackmannanshire, who needed weeks of treatment and a skin graft after a toy burst across his chest and hand in May.
His mother Stephanie Ewing said: “My husband and I were home. We were sitting in the living room next door when Joseph came in holding a towel to his face. He had already wiped off the burning gel which had also taken off his skin. He was saying that his squishy burnt him and we initially thought he meant a chemical burn. Then he told us that he had put it in the microwave.
“We were shocked as it had never crossed our minds that he would do that with a toy. He has never used the microwave before. One of us had heated something earlier and so the clock was already set at 40 seconds. Joseph just hit start. It was that quick and easy for him.”
She revealed that Joseph had come across the trend on the internet, and urged parents to speak to their children about it and put them off attempting anything similar.
She added: “Joseph’s burn wouldn’t heal on its own and required a graft, where skin was taken from his thigh and applied to his chest. He is normally such an active and sporty child with six clubs per week, but all of that is on hold until he heals.”
Her son must now stay out of direct sunlight on the grafted area for two years, which she noted will be “tricky over the summer months”.
Another young patient, 11 year old Scarlet Rowe from Irvine in North Ayrshire, was treated for burns to her face and eyelid following a similar incident in May, shortly after she was given a squishy toy.
Her mother Gina said: “We didn’t realise what had happened at first, it just looked like slime on her face. It was only after a few minutes we realised it had been heated and was burning her skin.
“The swelling was so bad that we weren’t sure what the outcome would be. Thankfully, no graft was required but it is so close to her eye that this could have been a lot worse. These toys are very popular and easy to buy, but we had no idea about the risks. We had only bought them that day. I’d strongly advise parents to be vigilant and check what children are watching and trying online.”
Burns experts warn that injuries caused by heated squishy toys can be particularly serious, as the gel inside retains extreme heat and adheres to the skin, making the burn worse.
Sharon Ramsay, a burns nurse at the RHC, said: “Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing number of children with preventable injuries linked to this trend. When these toys are heated, the contents can explode and stick to the skin, causing deep burns.
“These injuries can be very serious and may require long-term treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation. In some cases, children are left with permanent scarring. We strongly urge parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks.”
Recovery from burns can take weeks or even months, with affected children frequently requiring ongoing care that includes dressings, physiotherapy and scar management.
The Scottish National Burns Centre operates within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
