Overview
- Nine-year-old Caleb Chabolla suffered second-degree burns on Jan. 20 when a NeeDoh Nice Cube he microwaved ruptured and splattered hot gel on his face and hands.
- He was treated at Loyola Medicine’s Burn Center, evaluated by an ophthalmologist, and is recovering at home with vision unaffected and a return to school expected soon.
- Loyola clinicians say Caleb is the fourth NeeDoh-related burn patient they have seen this year and are urging families to discuss safety as part of National Burn Awareness Week outreach.
- Schylling, the manufacturer, warns on product labels and its website not to heat, freeze, or microwave NeeDoh toys.
- TikTok says it bans content promoting dangerous activities and reports removing 99.8% of such videos proactively in Q3, while some children learn about the trend from peers.