Squishy toy burns injure children in Australia, UK and US

Gel‑filled "squishy" toys that children heat in microwaves have caused severe facial burns in several countries. In Australia, 10‑year‑old Violet Zerbst was hospitalized for a week after the toy exploded on her face, describing how "the skin sort of all peeled off". Similar injuries were reported in the United Kingdom, where 10‑year‑old Bella from Bristol suffered "traumatising" burns, and in the United States, where a nine‑year‑old boy received second‑degree burns from the same practice.

Health experts warned that the toys' liquid contents can become scalding hot and that some cheap copies contain high levels of the carcinogen benzene. Trading Standards officers in the UK and comparable consumer‑safety agencies abroad are inspecting stores to remove dangerous products, and officials urge parents to check for proper CE or UKCA markings and avoid any microwave, freezing or heating instructions. The incidents have prompted calls for greater awareness of viral online challenges that encourage unsafe use of household appliances.

The injuries highlight the need for stricter regulation of novelty toys and for parents to supervise children’s online activities, as authorities continue investigations into the supply chain of these hazardous items.