Overview
- Short-form videos showing people microwave squishy toys to soften them have circulated widely and encouraged children to copy the behavior.
- A high-profile case reported by multiple outlets describes Eli Blackmon, who suffered third-degree burns when a microwaved NeeDoh ruptured and sprayed hot gel onto his neck, chest and hands.
- Burn specialists say the heated gel can reach temperatures over 200°F, cling to skin, and cause deep second- and third-degree burns that require weeks or months of debridement, wound care and possible grafting.
- The NeeDoh maker is working with social platforms to remove videos that promote the microwave hack, and platforms say they delete content that encourages dangerous acts.
- Doctors and safety experts now warn parents not to heat, freeze or microwave these toys and to avoid leaving them in hot cars because cabin heat can produce oven-like conditions that may trigger the same dangerous ruptures.