Parents have received a caution regarding a trendy children’s toy associated with a string of severe accidents resulting in children suffering from significant burns. Soft, malleable cubes filled with a gel substance have gained popularity as summer playthings, leading to a surge of imitation versions being circulated both online and in retail outlets.
Inexpensive products found nationwide have been found to harbor a range of harmful chemicals, including elevated levels of benzene, a known carcinogen. Authorities from Trading Standards are actively visiting stores to ensure that hazardous items are promptly removed from sale.
Children have been placing these squeezable plastic cubes into microwaves. The most recent incident involved Violet Zerbst, who fell victim to this trend by microwaving her toy for half a minute.
Upon removal from the microwave, she squeezed the toy, causing the heated contents to explode onto her face, resulting in severe burns and blisters. Violet recounted, “I squeezed it for a few seconds, and it suddenly turned into a ball and burst on my face. The liquid was at the bottom, then it balled up and burst on my face.”
Her father described the moment he heard his daughter’s screams as “quite horrific.” “I sensed that something had gone terribly wrong,” he expressed. “It had a toffee-like consistency, it was scalding, sticky, and adhered to her face.”
“Her skin almost peeled off, and as it was in her mouth, she tried to spit it out.”
Reflecting on the incident, Violet described enduring “a lot of pain” and feeling like her “skin was peeling off.” She spent a week recuperating in the hospital and now aims to raise awareness about the hazards associated with these toys and the related social media challenges.
Similarly, 10-year-old Bella from Bristol suffered “traumatic” burns after heating a similar toy in the microwave. Bella’s mother, Charlotte, shared, “Due to the silicone outer layer, they couldn’t gauge how hot it was inside, so her friend squeezed it, leading to it bursting on both of them. She was in tears.”
Trading Standards has issued advice urging parents to thoroughly inspect toys before purchasing. Officials emphasize that all toys should prominently display the name and address of a UK-based importer or an EU-based manufacturer, as well as bear either the essential “CE” or “UKCA” marking, indicating compliance with safety regulations.
Authorities are actively investigating the matter and cautioning parents to be vigilant concerning viral online challenges associated with these toys, which could pose significant risks of injury to children.
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