What to Know
NeeDoh toys have become a seriously hot commodity. That’s both literally and figuratively. The popular sensory toy that frequently resembles an ice cube among its many shapes, is well loved and used by both children and adults. While its use is simple, the toy has become controversial.
There are dozens of videos on social media showing kids microwaving the toy to make it softer. But that is incredibly dangerous. Based on the compounds that make up the inside of the toy, it basically boils. And if squeezed too hard, it will likely explode. There have been plenty of stories of kids being severely burned, but that’s not stopping them from continuing.
Doctors are sharing important warnings.
“Parents need to be aware of this trend and all dangerous social media challenges because they can pose a serious risk to children, and the children participating are not yet mature enough to recognize the danger for themselves,” Dr. Alicia Webb, a doctor specializing in pediatric emergency medicine at Children’s of Alabama told The California Post.
Dr. Michael Cooper, director of service for the burn unit at Northwell’s Staten Island University Hospital, told the outlet that children have thinner and more delicate skin than adults, which means that heat can penetrate more deeply in a shorter amount of time.
“Even a brief contact with a hot substance can cause significant tissue damage,” he explained.
Parents are trying to warn each other about these dangers.
Charlotte, a mom in England, posted on Facebook after her 10-year-old daughter Bella was burned by a squishy toy.
In the post, the mom explained that her daughter wasn’t at their home when the incident happened, but “it could of easily happened at home as it’s 100% something she would do.” The toy was put in the microwave for “30 seconds,” the mom wrote, adding that the outer silicone layer hid how hot the inside gel was.
“She has been referred to the burns unit and told she wont be able to have her face in the sun for at least 2 summers. They aren’t sure if it will scar. She is a very lucky girl this didn’t get in her eye. When it cooled it was a rock solid plastic all stuck in her hair,” Charlotte wrote.
The mom implored parents to “please talk to your kids of the dangers” associated with microwaving these squishy toys. After looking it up, she found “there’s been so many kids with horrific burns from doing this.”
A mom commented on the post, sharing that her own daughter had previously been burned the same way. “Was one of the scariest things ever!” she wrote, sharing a picture of her daughter’s burned face.
Also warn kids to be careful where they leave their NeeDoh toys.
While many children have been harmed from intentionally heating the toy, they can also be accidentally hazardous.
Katie Spence, a mom in New Mexico, spoke out after her 13-year-old daughter was burned after she left the toy in their car. The girl left the toy in the car for about four hours, turning the insides molten hot. It exploded when her daughter began squeezing it.
“She jumps out of the car and she’s like screaming at the top of her lungs like, ‘please momma get it off,’” Spence told KRQE. “There was people all around. We were trying to get it off and they said don’t take it off because it will rip her skin off. So then I rush her to the nearest children’s hospital.”
The hot toy caused third degree burns on her daughter’s leg and arm.
“Any sort of toy or anything else that gets to that temperature, if it’s at 140 degrees, can cause a burn in seconds,” Jon Femling, Clinical Vice Chair of Emergency Medicine at University of New Mexico Hospital, told the outlet.
Spence had a warning for anyone using the toy. “Don’t warm it up, don’t leave it in the sun, don’t leave it in a car,” she said.
Schylling, the company who makes the toy, has issued clear warnings.
KRQE reached out to the company after Spence’s daughter’s accident. A spokesperson responded, saying that the company clearly outlined safety hazards posed by the toy.
“We are saddened to hear about the reported incident and hope the child is recovering. The safety of children and families is a top priority for Schylling,” the statement read.
“All NeeDoh packaging includes the warning ‘CAUTION: DO NOT leave in car or direct sun; contents may become hot. Do NOT heat, freeze, or microwave; may cause personal injury,’” it continued. “We encourage consumers to review and follow all product warnings and instructions and to discontinue use if a product appears damaged. We appreciate the opportunity to help raise awareness of this important safety information and thank KRQE for helping share it with the community.”
The company went on to “encourage parents and caregivers to discuss product warnings with their children and the importance of using toys safely and as intended,” before adding “Schylling is committed to product safety and to providing consumers with the information they need to properly use, store, and care for our products.”
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