On Jan. 20, a 9-year-old boy in suburban Chicago was badly burned when a NeeDoh sensory toy exploded after he put it in a microwave. The gel inside the toy burst and splattered onto his face and hands, and he spent the night being treated at a regional burn center before returning home. His mother said he learned the trick from a friend at school and that one eye swelled shut, though it later showed no vision damage.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the incident happened at the family’s Maywood home. The boy, identified by family as Caleb, was first taken to a local emergency room, then transferred to Loyola Medicine’s burn center. His mother told reporters she suddenly heard the microwave running and then a “blood-curdling scream” before finding her son injured in the kitchen.
Hospital: Fourth Case This Year
Paula Petersen, an advanced practice nurse at Loyola Medicine’s burn center, said in a statement, “Caleb’s is the fourth case we have seen this year with Needoh cubes.” The hospital is warning families that viral videos encouraging people to heat or freeze these toys can lead to serious injuries. According to FOX 32 Chicago, Caleb was evaluated by an ophthalmologist, and doctors determined his vision was not impaired.
Consumer Reports: Tests Show A Real Hazard
Investigations and lab tests by Consumer Reports found that some gel-filled sensory toys can have extreme acidity and that microwaving them can quickly push temperatures above 200°F, causing them to burst in just seconds. After reviewing incident reports and running its own tests, Consumer Reports has asked the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate the NeeDoh Nice Cube and similar products.
Serious Injuries Reported Across The Country
Similar accidents have led to severe injuries elsewhere. In Orem, Utah, an 8-year-old boy suffered third-degree burns that required two skin graft surgeries and more than two weeks in a burn unit after microwaving a similar toy, according to local reporting by FOX13. Families in those cases say the injuries are a harsh reminder of how a brief viral clip can translate into life-changing harm.
Manufacturer Warns Against Heating Or Freezing
Schylling, the company that makes NeeDoh, told reporters that “misusing a NeeDoh product by microwaving, heating, or freezing is dangerous and may cause injury,” and says it has added clearer warnings to packaging while working with platforms to remove content that promotes unsafe use. The company’s statement and actions were summarized in national coverage by PEOPLE.
What Parents Should Do Now
Safety experts advise tossing any gel-filled squeeze toy that is torn or leaking, never microwaving or freezing them, and rinsing skin immediately if it comes in contact with the gel. They say to seek medical care right away if burns or irritation develop. Consumer Reports also recommends checking these toys frequently for damage and keeping them away from very young children while regulators review the risks…