Children Suffer Deep Burns From Heated Gel Toys

A viral social media trend has led to children sustaining severe burns after microwaving gel-filled squishy toys. Videos promoting the hack claim that heating these toys makes them softer, but they can explode unexpectedly. The scalding gel adheres to skin, causing deep chemical burns. Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow has treated six children for injuries related to this trend in the past eight months, with some requiring surgery and skin grafts.

Children like eight-year-old Joseph Erskine and nine-year-old Caleb Chabolla have suffered significant injuries, including second-degree burns, after participating in this dangerous activity. The toys' filling, often polyvinyl alcohol gel or maltose, traps heat rapidly when microwaved, leading to explosions. Parents are advised to educate their children about online safety and the potential harm from such trends. It is recommended that adults handle microwave operations, especially for young children.