Parents are being urged to ensure children do not leave viral squishy toys in cars during hot weather after multiple incidents of young people suffering severe burns when the toys exploded. The toys, filled with a liquid gel, have previously made headlines when children heated them in microwaves, causing them to burst in their faces and on their hands. Now, reports are emerging of injuries when the toys rupture after being left in a car on a hot day.
Recent Incidents in the United States
A 13-year-old girl was rushed to hospital in West Virginia, USA, this week after a squishy toy left in a car exploded and soaked her in hot liquid. The gel adhered to her skin and could not be removed at home. Her mother, Kimmie Staggs, stated: “The nurse said she had to drench her skin in saline, because if they tried to take it off without it, it would pull at her skin and hurt her.” A second teenager required hospital treatment in New Mexico after an identical incident.
A Facebook post from another incident in May read: “My daughter’s friend accidentally left her toy dumpling in my car yesterday. My younger daughter picked it up today in the car, it exploded because of heat in the car and went all over her. She is OK, thank goodness. However, the screaming that came out of her will be something I will never forget.”
UK Temperatures and Expert Warnings
Matt Clamp, car expert at Scrap Car Comparison, warned: “With UK temperatures set to reach the mid-30s this week, the inside of a parked car can exceed 50C in well under an hour. That time frame is more than enough heat for gel-filled toys to soften and expand, ultimately leading to them bursting if left long enough. The main concern is that children often hold these toys close to their faces, without thinking about the risks.”
He added: “The gel inside these toys can be particularly dangerous because it sticks to the skin rather than running off like water. The main thing to do if a toy does burst is to cool the area under running water and seek medical attention immediately. Don’t try to wipe or peel away the gel.”
Multiple Incidents Over Three Years
Multiple incidents have been reported over the past three years, suggesting the problem is more common than realised. Clamp advised: “It’s always worth checking your vehicle before setting off or leaving it parked, as any of these toys left sitting in the heat can become hot enough to cause injury, even if they haven’t burst yet.”
Beyond personal injury, the toys can also damage a vehicle’s interior. Clamp explained: “If these toys are left in the car, they can cause significant damage to a vehicle’s interior as once the gel melts, it will stick on to the upholstery, carpets and trim. A professional valet can easily cost £100-£200, but the issue is that these stubborn stains often need multiple treatments costing hundreds. If that gel gets onto leather or plastic surfaces, repair bills can easily run into the hundreds. Naturally, any interior damage will affect resale value, as stained seats and sticky trims are major turn-offs for buyers. With older vehicles, the cost of putting things right can sometimes outweigh the value of the car itself.”
Other Heat-Sensitive Items in Cars
Clamp also noted that squishy toys are not the only items that can become problematic in hot weather. “Aerosols, batteries, medicines, chocolate and disposable plastic water bottles can all be affected by extreme heat. I would recommend a quick check of the vehicle in the hotter months before leaving it parked or driving off, as it can help prevent both injuries and costly damage.”
Temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday as the UK swelters in the third heatwave of the year. The Met Office said they will “widely exceed 30C” across the UK, while some areas in England could hit 36C.
Trading Standards Warning on Microwave Heating
Trading Standards have also warned against heating the toys. A spokesman said: “A dangerous social media trend involves heating these toys in a microwave to make them softer. This has led to reports of the toys bursting or leaking hot material, causing significant burns to children. Under no circumstances should these or similar ‘squishy’ toys be placed in a microwave.”
