Parents are being urged to keep viral squishy toys out of cars during hot weather after multiple incidents of children suffering severe burns when the toys exploded. The gel-filled toys, popular among children, have previously caused injuries when microwaved, but now reports of ruptures in hot vehicles are rising.
Recent Incidents
A 13-year-old girl in West Virginia, USA, was rushed to hospital after a squishy toy left in a car burst, covering her in hot liquid. The gel adhered to her skin and could not be removed at home. Her mother, Kimmie Staggs, said: “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 in New Mexico required hospital treatment after a similar incident.
Another case from May involved a Facebook post warning: “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.”
Expert Warnings
Matt Clamp, car expert at Scrap Car Comparison, explained: “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.”
Clamp noted that multiple incidents have been reported over the past three years, indicating the problem is more common than realised. He advised checking vehicles before driving off, as toys left in the heat can become hot enough to cause injury even if they haven’t burst.
Damage to Vehicles
Beyond injuries, the gel can cause significant damage to car interiors. Once melted, it sticks to upholstery, carpets, and trim. Professional valeting can cost £100-£200, but stubborn stains often require multiple treatments costing hundreds. If gel gets onto leather or plastic surfaces, repair bills can run into the hundreds. Interior damage also affects resale value, as stained seats and sticky trims deter buyers. For older vehicles, repair costs may exceed the car’s value.
Clamp also warned that squishy toys are not the only items that become problematic in hot weather. Aerosols, batteries, medicines, chocolate, and disposable plastic water bottles can all be affected by extreme heat. He recommended a quick vehicle check during hotter months before leaving it parked or driving off.
UK Heatwave
Temperatures are expected to peak on Thursday and Friday as the UK experiences its third heatwave of the year. The Met Office said they will “widely exceed 30C” across the UK, with some areas in England potentially reaching 36C.
Trading Standards have also issued a warning about 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.”
