Swedish authorities warn of dangers associated with squishy toys

Swedish authorities, including the Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) and the Swedish Consumer Agency (Konsumentverket), have issued warnings regarding the potential dangers of squishies, which are popular soft squeeze toys.

Risks identified include chemical burns to the skin if the toys break and leak their contents. Some squishies contain water beads that, if ingested, can swell in the stomach and cause intestinal blockages. Additionally, social media trends on TikTok involving heating squishies in microwaves pose a risk of burns.

Authorities advise against poking holes in, disassembling, heating, or freezing the toys. They also warn that squishies can become excessively hot when left in the sun or a warm car. Consumers are urged to immediately discard any squishy that breaks or begins to leak.