Parents are being cautioned regarding a trendy children’s toy associated with a string of severe accidents resulting in children suffering significant burns. These soft, squeezable cubes filled with a gel-like liquid have gained popularity as summer toys, leading to a proliferation of imitation versions being sold both online and in brick-and-mortar stores.
Numerous low-cost products found nationwide have been found to contain harmful toxic substances, including elevated levels of benzene, a known carcinogen. Officials from Trading Standards are conducting inspections at retail outlets to ensure the removal of hazardous examples from the market.
Children have been placing these pliable plastic cubes into microwaves, resulting in incidents like that of Violet Zerbst, who recently fell victim to this trend by microwaving her toy for half a minute. Upon removal, she squeezed the toy, causing the heated contents to erupt onto her face, causing severe burns and blisters. Violet recounted, “I squished it for like three seconds, and then it went into a ball and exploded on my face. The liquid was at the bottom and then it went into a sort of ball and it burst onto my face.”
Her father described the sound of his daughter’s screams as “quite horrific,” noting the alarming nature of the situation. He stated, “It’s a toffee-like substance, scalding and sticky, adhering to her face.” “The skin sort of all peeled off and as it was in her mouth, she was trying to spit this stuff out,” Violet added.
Violet expressed enduring “a lot of pain” following the incident, feeling as though her “skin (was) coming off.” She spent a week recuperating in the hospital and is now focused on raising awareness about the hazards of these toys and the associated social media challenges.
Similarly, 10-year-old Bella from Bristol suffered “traumatising” burns after heating a similar toy in a microwave. Bella’s mother, Charlotte, explained, “Because of the silicone outer layer, they couldn’t feel how hot it was inside, so her friend squeezed it, which is when it burst onto both of them. She was in absolute tears.”
Trading Standards has released guidelines advising parents to thoroughly inspect toys before purchase. Officials emphasize that all toys should prominently display the name and address of a UK-based importer or an EU-based manufacturer, along with either the obligatory “CE” or “UKCA” marking, indicating compliance with safety regulations.
Authorities are actively investigating the matter and cautioning parents to remain wary of viral online challenges involving these toys, as they pose serious risks of injury to children.