Children in Australia suffer burns due to squishy toy trend — ABC News Australia

In Australia, a social media trend of heating soft squishy toys in microwave ovens has led to severe burns in children. ABC News Australia reports.

Squishy toys usually have a thermoplastic rubber shell and a filling made of polyvinyl alcohol, maltose, gels, beads or other materials. They are sold in stores and online in various shapes, from cubes to animal figurines.

Burns to the face and hands

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network said that from January to September, 11 children who suffered burns from heated squishy toys were referred to the Burns and Plastic Surgery Centre at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. The victims were aged from 6 to 12.

Doctors recorded moderate to deep burns to the face, neck, chest, arms and hands. Some children required skin grafts and long-term scar treatment.

Queensland Children's Hospital emergency paediatrician Vivek Thanki said that since April, he has been aware of at least 13 burn cases related to heating these toys. According to him, the hands and face are most commonly affected, while the sticky gel-like filling can cause burns to develop rapidly.

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In the event of such an incident, the doctor advises removing gel residue from the skin and cooling the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes. Tasmania's Department of Health also confirmed that its burns unit is aware of a small number of injuries caused by these toys.

The problem of counterfeits

Demand for squishy toys has contributed to the spread of counterfeit products, whose composition is often not indicated. NeeDoh manufacturer Schylling has asked the Australian Border Force to seize counterfeit goods imported into the country.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is in contact with local and international regulators, online marketplaces and businesses regarding these toys. The agency recalled mandatory standards for lead and other chemical content in products.

Regulators in the United Kingdom recalled Squeezy Dumplings toys due to excessive benzene concentrations. In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission stopped 55 non-compliant shipments of squishy toys at ports, preventing the import of more than 355,000 units.

Consumers are advised not to buy toys with a strong chemical smell, weak seams, unsecured beads or leaks, and to check whether information about materials and safety is provided.