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Exploding Toy Causes Severe Burns in Teen
13 Jul
Summary
- Microwaved sensory toy exploded, causing third-degree burns.
- Teen required four months of burn unit care without anesthesia.
- Family warns of dangers from viral social media trends.
A 13-year-old boy, Eli Blackmon, endured extensive medical treatment for third-degree burns after a sensory toy he microwaved exploded. The incident occurred when Eli, then 11, saw TikTok videos demonstrating how to soften these toys in a microwave. He recounted that after his sister briefly held the toy, he squeezed it, causing a burst of hot gel to erupt onto his neck, chest, and hands.
His mother, Fallon Blackmon, who works in emergency call-taking, described the immediate panic and her husband's role as a fire medic in assessing the severity. Eli required four months of intensive care in a burn unit for wound care and debridement. His treatment was notably painful, as it was performed without anesthesia, and later involved chemical burns to address granulation tissue. The family also faced significant medical expenses.
Eli, a jiu-jitsu athlete, missed months of training and competition. He now performs daily scar maintenance. His mother emphasized the importance of discussing such online trends with children, even if they do not actively use social media. TikTok has stated that content promoting dangerous behavior is removed upon discovery.
