Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro has issued an urgent warning against a dangerous social media challenge involving microwaving squishy toys, after two children suffered burns. The trend, which encourages users to heat the toys to make them more malleable, can cause the internal gel to overheat and explode, leading to second- and third-degree burns upon contact with the skin.
The alert follows a July 2 incident in Floral Park, where a 4-year-old and an 8-year-old sister placed a squishy toy in a microwave. According to Michael Uttaro, the toy exploded upon removal, oozing hot gel onto the children. The 4-year-old sustained burns to her face, arms, and legs and was treated in the burn unit at Nassau University Medical Center.
Uttaro described the injuries as second- to third-degree burns, where the skin often blisters upon contact. He warned that unlike water, the gel inside these toys doesn’t just fall from the surface — it can stay on the skin, exacerbating the burn.
The Mechanics of the Squishy Toy Danger
The danger stems from the fact that the gel inside the toy can get extremely hot. Because it is viscous, it can stay on the skin, exacerbating the burn.
The trend has spread via social media videos where users demonstrate heating the toys to make the toy more malleable and easier to squeeze. Uttaro stated that this “bad idea” is “very dangerous” and urged people: “Don’t do it.”
The risk is not isolated to New York. Reports indicate a 9-year-old boy in Illinois also suffered facial burns when a heated toy burst. Following the initial warning in Nassau County, Uttaro reported learning of additional burn incidents in Massapequa and in southern Nassau County.
Market Demand and Consumer Risks
The urgency of the warning is tied to the popularity of these toys. Retailers report that most stores run out of the toys hours after placing them on the shelf and there are often lines outside stores to purchase them.
Joanne Surleti, owner of Joanne’s Variety in Williston Park, noted that she has to limit certain squishy toys, one to a family because of how popular the toys are. Surleti reported that customers call daily to ask if new inventory has arrived.
While some of the toys come with warnings, letting people know that it can be dangerous to play with the toy if it gets too hot and to never microwave it or heat it up otherwise, the viral nature of the social media challenges often overrides these safety labels. Parent Heather Rowan of Mineola expressed concern over the trend, noting she had to discard a toy for her daughter after it began oozing.
Safety Guidance for Parents and Caregivers
Fire officials recommend that parents be aware of the dangers. Uttaro emphasized that this can cause burns to a face, things that could disfigure a kid, and that children should not have to go through life scarred from a social media challenge that went wrong.
Local authorities continue to monitor reports of similar injuries.
Do you have experience with these toys or a tip on how to better monitor social media trends in your home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.