UK issues safety alerts on squishy toys over benzene recall and microwave burn injuries

The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards recalled Squeezy Dumpling squishy toys sold by Samsons Cash and Carry after tests found excess benzene in the outer layer. Trading standards officials warned parents to check packaging for clear UK‑CA or CE marks, manufacturer details and safety warnings, and to discard any toy that feels sticky or emits a strong chemical smell.

Health authorities in Scotland have also warned about a separate danger: a viral trend of microwaving soft “squishy” toys to make them more pliable. The Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow reported six severe burn cases over the past eight months, including eight‑year‑old Joseph Erskine, who required a skin graft after a heated toy exploded on his chest and hand, and eleven‑year‑old Scarlet Rowe, who suffered facial burns. Burns nurses said the hot gel inside the toys can stick to skin, causing deep injuries that may need surgery and long‑term scar management. Parents are urged to discourage children from heating these toys and to monitor online trends.